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k  JAN  22  : 


BX  8205  .B7  1914 
Brummitt,  Dan  B.  1867-1939 
The  efficient  Epworthian 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/efficientepworthOObrum 


The  Efficient  Ep^fnmn  [1 

■ 


Being 
"Epworth  League  Methods' 

Revised  Enlarged  Rewritten 


By 
DAN   B.   BRUMMITT 

Editor  of  The  Epworth  Herald 


I 


THE  METHODIST  BOOK  CONCERN 

Cincinnati  Jfteto  J9orfe 


Copyright,  1914 
By  Dan  B.  Brummitt 


Introduction. 

This  volume  is  "Epworth  League  Methods"  revised,  re- 
written, enlarged,  brought  down  to  date. 

Much  old  material  has  been  left  out,  and  much  more  new 
material  has  been  added.  The  League  moves,  and  any 
writer  who  hopes  to  deal  adequately  with  its  activities  must 
be  able  to  see  that  yesterday's  methods  are  not  all  usable 
to-day,  though  yesterday's  principles  have  not  changed. 

The  purpose  of  the  book  is  not  to  offer  exhaustive  dis- 
cussion of  the  League's  many-sided  life.  It  is  meant  to  be, 
mainly,  suggestive  and  provocative  of  independent  work. 
It  leaves  much  to  the  initiative  of  the  resourceful  young 
people  of  the  Epworth  League.  Also  it  is  a  guide  to  the 
sources  of  ten  times  as  much  practical  aid  as  is  given  within 
its  limited  compass. 

The  groups  of  brief  paragraphs  scattered  through  the 
book  will  be  found  of  much  use  in  stimulating  the  inventive 
and  aggressive  faculties  of  League  officers  and  leaders. 
These  paragraphs  will  serve  that  purpose  again  and  again, 
without  being  of  much  immediate  use  for  particular  prob- 
lems. 

It  is  in  no  sense  an  original  work.  It  owes  a  debt  it 
can  not  even  state  to  scores  of  earlier  writers  in  this  field. 
Acknowledgment  is  gratefully  made  to  the  Rev.  W.  F.  Sheri- 
dan, D.  D.,  General  Secretary  of  the  Epworth  League; 
to  Professor  Harry  F.  Ward,  Secretary  of  the  Methodist 
Federation  for  Social  Service,  and  to  the  Rev.  George  F. 
Sutherland,  of  the  Department  of  Missionary  Education, 
for  particularly  definite  and  valuable  assistance. 

The  best  acknowledgment  I  can  make  for  all  the  ma- 
terial on  which  I  have  so  freely  drawn  is  to  put  this  book 
just  as  freely  at  the  service  of  all  those  who  are  at  work 
in  the  hopefulest  enterprise  in  the  world, — the  great  ad- 
venture of  young  life,  as  it  follows  Jesus  Christ. 

Dan  B.  Brummitt. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  Page 

I.  In  the  Beginning, 7 

II.  The  Organic  Law,        -  24 

III.  How  to  Organize  a  Chapter,         -         -  38 

IV.  Overseeing  the  Chapter's  Work,      -  47 
V.  Working  Efficiency  in  the  Leaders,   -  64 

VI.     The  Weekly  Devotional  Meeting,  -         89 

VII.     The  Morning  Watch,  Personal  Evan- 
gelism, and  Bible  Study,  -  132 

VIII.     The  League's  World  Interests,         -        165 

IX.     Social  Service,  -  208 

X.     Culture  and  Recreation,  -         -         -       262 

XI.     Making  the  Record  and  Financing 

the  Work,    ------  320 

XII.     The  League's  Red  Letter  Days,       -       341 

XIII.  Ceremonial  Occasions,    -  375 

XIV.  The  Epworth  League  Pledge,  -         -       385 

XV.     Supervision,  Inspiration,  and  Instruc- 
tion,     -         -  -  393 


CHAPTER  I. 

IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

The  Church  and  Youth. 
The  Epworth  League  is  the  young  people's  society  of  the 
Methodist    Episcopal    Church.      Under    its    banners    prac- 
tically all  the  young  people  of  the  Church  are  enrolled. 

No  other  Church  has  succeeded  in  organizing  its  young 
life  so  extensively,  and,  at  the  same  time,  so  intensively,  as 
has  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  by  means  of  the  Ep- 
worth  League. 

But  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  this  Epworth  League 
movement  was  the  initial  effort  of  Methodism  to  promote 
the  social,  intellectual,  and  spiritual  culture  of  her  young 
people.  During  all  the  years  of  her  eventful  history  indi- 
vidual Churches  have  maintained  societies  for  the  special 
benefit  of  their  younger  members. 

In  the  years  immediately  preceding  the  birth  of  the 
Epworth  League  these  organizations  had  multiplied  until, 
in  the  larger  Churches,  they  had  become  quite  common. 
Many  of  the  distinguishing  features  of  these  local  organi- 
zations were  retained  in  the  more  general  organizations, 
and,  in  turn,  have  been  inherited  by  the  Epworth  League. 

The  first  movement  to  provide  a  uniform  organization 
dates  back  to  the  year  1872.  Some  time  previous  to  thnt 
date  there  had  been  organized  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  T.  B.  Neely, 
in  the  Fifty-first  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Phila- 
delphia, a  Church  Lyceum,  the  chief  object  of  which  was 
to  encourage  a  systematic  reading  of  approved  books.  Sev- 
eral similar  lyceums  were  formed  in  neighboring  Churches, 
and  soon  it  was  thought  best,  for  purposes  of  mutual  co- 
operation, to  unite  these  in  a  city  union. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  this  central 
body,  held  March  3,  1872,  it  was  resolved  to  memorialize 
the  General  Conference,  then  soon  to  assemble  at  Brooklyn, 

7 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

N.  Y.,  asking  formal  recognition  of  the  Lyceum.  The 
memorial  was  referred  to  a  committee,  which  made  a  favor- 
able report,  but,  owing  to  the  great  pressure  of  business  at 
the  close  of  the  General  Conference  session,  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  committee  were  not  acted  upon.  At  the 
succeeding  General  Conference,  that  of  1876,  the  request  for 
official  recognition  was  renewed.  The  Conference  adopted 
verbatim  the  paragraph  sent  up  in  1872. 

The  Lyceum  was  received  with  much  favor  in  different 
parts  of  the  Church.  It  did  good  work  in  stimulating  the 
intellectual  life  of  the  young  and  in  promoting  a  taste  for 
the  pure  and  upbuilding  in  literature.  The  organization 
was  destined,  however,  to  give  place  to  the  Oxford  League, 
a  society  which  retained  the  idea  of  intellectual  culture, 
but  provided  also  for  special  activity  in  the  realm  of  social 
and  spiritual  life. 

The  Five  Original  Societies. 

The  Epworth  League  is  the  resultant  of  the  amalgama- 
tion of  five  other  societies — the  Young  People's  Methodist 
Alliance,  the  Oxford  League,  the  Young  People's  Christian 
League,  the  Methodist  Young  People's  Union,  and  the 
Young  People's  Methodist  Episcopal  Alliance. 

Of  these  the  oldest  was  the  Young  People's  Methodist 
Alliance.  It  came  into  existence  August  25,  1883.  Its 
birthplace  was  a  woody  grove  on  the  old  and  historic  Des- 
plaines  Camp-ground,  not  far  from  the  city  of  Chicago. 
It  emphasized  the  highest  spiritual  existence,  mutual  help- 
fulness, daily  Bible  study,  the  avoidance  of  doubtful  pleas- 
ures, and  ardent  loyalty  to  all  that  is  embodied  in  the  word 
"Methodism." 

The  prime  mover  in  the  organization  and  development 
of  the  Oxford  League  was  Dr.  John  II.  Vincent.  The 
General  Conference  of  1876  made  provision  for  the  Lyceum, 
but  it  was  found  that  the  purpose  of  this  organization  did 
not  meet  the  needs  of  the  young  people.  Dr.  Vincent, 
keenly  alive  to  the  real  requirements  of  the  multitudes  of 
young  Methodists,  sought  to  supply  the  vital  thing  which 
the  Lyceum  lacked.  He  proposed  to  organize  a  young  peo- 
ple's society  that  should  provide  symmetrical  spiritual  and 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

intellectual  culture.  This  society  was  called  "The  Oxford 
League/'  after  the  famous  English  university  in  which  the 
"Holy  Club,"  to  which  the  Wesleys  belonged,  was  founded. 
The  new  organization  was  received  with  favor  by  many 
pastors  and  leading  laymen,  and  was  given  hearty  and 
significant  indorsement  at  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 
"Christmas  Conference,"  which  was  held  in  Baltimore,  De- 
cember !)-17,  1884. 

The  late  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H.  Twombly  was  the  originator 
of  the  Young  People's  Christian  League.  Years  before, 
in  his  early  pastorate,  he  organized  the  young  people  for 
service.  One  of  his  dreams  had  been  the  gathering  of  a 
great  Methodist  international  meeting  of  young  people. 
The  hour  of  the  fulfillment  of  his  dream  was  not  far  off 
when  the  Young  People's  Christian  League  was  started 
with  broader  plans  than  any  society  then  existing  in  the 
Church.  The  Young  People's  Methodist  Alliance  at  that 
time  had  only  one  class  of  members,  and  the  Oxford  League 
required  a  uniform  constitution,  and  neither  of  these  socie- 
ties was  able  to  group  together  the  already  existing  societies 
which  were  in  many  of  our  Churches.  The  Young  People's 
Christian  League  aimed  to  unify  the  interests  of  these  older 
societies,  Lyceums,  Guilds,  Bands,  etc.,  with  their  local  his- 
tories and  associations,  by  making  them  auxiliary  to  a  cen- 
tral body  without  requiring  any  change  of  name  of  consti- 
tution or  method  of  work,  wherever  these  were  acceptable 
to  their  local  Church. 

The  Methodist  Young  People's  Union  had  its  head- 
quarters in  Michigan.  The  organization  was  the  outcome 
of  a  meeting  of  certain  alert  Detroit  Conference  pastors. 
For  some  time  they  had  been  impressed  that  the  time  had 
come  for  the  formation  of  a  society  for  the  social  and  re- 
ligious culture  of  their  young  people — a  society  better  fitted 
for  this  high  purpose  than  any  of  those  already  in  exist- 
ence. The  matter  was  first  broached  in  November,  1887, 
and  a  Conference  organization  was  formed,  known  as  the 
"Young  People's  Society  of  Detroit  Conference."  A  com- 
prehensive constitution  was  adopted.  Many  of  its  best 
features  were  ultimately  wrought  into  the  plan  of  the  Ep- 
worth  League. 

9 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  fifth  of  the  "original  societies"  was  but  an  infant 
when  the  consolidation  took  place.  The  organizers  doubt- 
less hoped  that  they  had  found  the  solution  of  the  problem 
that  was  vexing  the  leaders  of  the  younger  hosts  of  Meth- 
odism. One  who  was  high  in  the  councils  of  this  new  or- 
ganization said  that  the  North  Ohio  Conference  Methodist 
Episcopal  Alliance  was  the  outgrowth  of  a  desire  for  the 
consolidation  of  all  Methodist  Episcopal  societies  of  young 
people  into  one  great  connectional  society. 

The  Birth  of  the  Epworth  League. 

There  are  certain  localities  of  historic  interest  to  which 
Methodists  instinctively  turn  with  gratitude  and  pride. 
Epworth,  the  home  of  the  Wesley  family,  is  one  of  them. 
City  Road  Chapel,  in  London,  is  another.  Old  John  Street 
Church,  in  New  York  City,  is  still  another.  Others  are  old 
St.  George's  Church,  in  Philadelphia,  and  Lovely  Lane 
Chapel,  in  Baltimore. 

Future  historians  of  Methodism  will  need  to  place 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  their  list  of  favored  names,  for  in  that 
city  the  Epworth  League  was  born.  The  event  occurred 
on  May  15,  1889,  in  the  Central  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  old  building  in  which  the  historic  meeting 
was  held  has  been  removed,  and  a  handsome  modern  struc- 
ture, known  as  Epworth  Memorial  Church,  a  very  hive  of 
activity  and   efficiency,  has  taken  its  place. 

As  indicated  in  the  foregoing  paragraphs,  negotiations 
had  been  carried  on  for  some  time  between  representatives 
of  the  five  general  young  people's  societies  of  the  Church 
looking  toward  a  possible  union.  That  some  steps  ought 
to  be  taken  to  centralize  and  harmonize  the  work  was  freely 
admitted.  But  just  what  method  would  most  easily  and 
successfully  bring  about  the  desired  consummation  was  a 
question  not  easily  answered. 

Finally  the  leaders  of  the  Young  People's  Methodist 
Alliance  proposed  a  conference.  This  plan  met  with  favor. 
In  due  time  an  invitation  was  extended  by  the  Rev.  B.  F. 
Dimmick,  the  pastor  of  Central  Church,  Cleveland,  to 
representatives    of    the    various    societies    to    meet    in    that 

10 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

church.     The  invitation  was  accepted.     On  the  morning  of 
Tuesday,  May  1 4th,  the  leaders  met  face  to  face. 

The  work  of  the  Cleveland  Conference  was  not  accom- 
plished without  serious  and  thorough  discussion.  The  rep- 
resentatives of  the  various  organizations  had  come  together 
on  purpose  to  unite  on  a  plan  of  organization.  But  each 
one  was  naturally  inclined  to  favor  the  distinctive  features 
of  his  own  society.  Several  plans  were  proposed  as  a  basis 
of  union,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  conference  these 
plans  differed  so  widely  that  some  despaired  of  reaching  an 
adjustment. 

The  Oxford  League  stood  for  all-round  culture,  and  took 
as  its  model  the  Holy  Club  of  Wesley's  Oxford  days.  The 
Young  People's  Methodist  Alliance  was  intensely  spiritual 
in  its  purposes  and  aims.  The  Young  People's  Christian 
League  was  more  a  federation  than  a  compact  organization, 
seeking  to  affiliate  all  classes  of  young  people's  societies 
through  a  central  body.  The  Methodist  Young  People's 
Union  had  large  aims  for  spiritual,  literary,  and  social 
work.  The  North  Ohio  Conference  Methodist  Episcopal 
Alliance  had  scarcely  been  at  work  long  enough  to  develop 
any  peculiarities  of  plan  or  organization  when  the  historic 
meeting  at  Cleveland  was  called. 

Two  days  were  spent  in  the  discussion  of  various  pro- 
posals looking  to  a  union  of  all  existing  societies.  At  one 
point  in  the  proceedings  the  representatives  of  one  of  the 
organizations  felt  impelled  to  withdraw  from  the  confer- 
ence. Later  they  returned,  and  the  work  of  finding  a  basis 
of  union  issued,  toward  midnight  of  the  second  day,  in  the 
unanimous  decision  to  organize  The  Epworth  League, 
and  to  make  it  the  successor  and  sole  heir  of  all  the  societies 
represented  at  the  conference. 

The  years  that  have  intervened  since  that  memorable 
Cleveland  Conference  have  been  years  of  stirring  history. 
A  new  Epworth  League  host  has  come  to  the  front  since 
then.  Some  of  the  workers  of  that  day  have  passed  on  to 
the  other  life.  Many  are  leaders  of  thought  and  action  in 
the  Church.  But  no  other  service  they  can  render  will  so 
greatly  make  the  Church  their  debtor  as  the  work  they  did 

11 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

so  faithfully  and  so  unselfishly  when  they  called  into  being 
the  Epworth  League. 

The  Faith  and  Wisdom  of  the  Founders. 

Some  of  those  men  have  finished  their  work.  All  of 
those  who  remain  are  many  years  older  than  they  were  at 
the  League's  beginning.  But  in  some  things  they  can  not 
be  wiser.  Their  work  was  done  with  a  courage  and  discern- 
ment which  they  could  not  excel  to-day,  and  which  the  years 
have  justified  to  the  full. 

They  were  wise  enough  and  brave  enough  to  organize 
a  young  people's  society  of  the  Church,  for  the  Church,  and 
by  the  Church.  That  was  not  so  settled  and  accepted  a 
principle  of  efficiency  and  fraternity  as  it  is  to-day. 

They  were  far-seeing  enough  to  put  into  the  organiza- 
tion a  provision  for  good  works  that  was  to  make  the  League 
quickly  responsive  to  the  new  note  of  personal  helpfulness 
and  social  service  then  just  beginning  to  be  sounded,  and 
now  so  clear  and  loud  that  all  must  hear  and  heed  it. 

The}'  were  helped  to  plan  for  a  weekly  religious  service 
in  charge  of  the  young  people,  which  has  become  in  many 
places  the  largest  attended  and  most  democratic  social 
means  of  grace  the  Church  possesses. 

They  had  vision  enough  to  provide  for  study  classes  in 
which  young  people  should  be  teachers  and  learners,  making 
use  of  the  educational  chance  that  life  never  offers  the 
Church  except  when  life  is  young. 

They  had  self-restraint  enough  to  give  the  new  society 
room  to  grow,  to  develop  its  aspirations  and  abilities  out 
of  its  own  activities. 

The  Epworth  League  of  to-day  is  not  all  they  dreamed 
it  might  be.  But  that  is  small  fault  of  theirs.  The  pattern 
they  showed  the  young  people  of  Methodism,  and  the 
leaders  of  those  young  people,  was  a  marvel  of  skill  and 
simplicity,  of  faith  and  practical  wisdom. 

The  League  Tested  by  Time. 
A  quarter  century  has  passed  since  the  Cleveland  meet- 
ing.    Many  people  have  asked  and  are  asking  whether  the 
outcome  of  these  years  has  proven  that  the  founders  of  the 

12 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

Epworth  League  were  as  wise  as  they  have  been  proclaimed 
by  enthusiastic  Epworthians. 

The  ordinary  facts  of  to-day's  life  in  the  Church  are 
sufficient  answer.  There  is  no  disposition  to  claim  that  the 
Epworth  League  has  accomplished  everything  which  its 
founders  dreamed  might  be  done.  But  its  shortcomings  are 
the  flaws  in  a  record  whose  value  can  not  be  estimated. 

The  League  has  stood  for  three  great  ideas  in  Christian 
life  and  service — democracy,  initiative,  and  fellowship.  In 
organization  and  operation  it  is  beautifully  democratic,  and 
there  is  constant  exchange  of  position  by  every  member, — 
to-day,  leader ;  to-morrow,  follower ;  and  not  long  in  any 
one  department  of  the  organization. 

The  League  manages  its  own  affairs,  not  for  offensive 
self-assertion,  but  for  training  in  responsibility  and  capac- 
ity. Its  whole  work  is  determined  by  it,  not  for  it,  and 
this  has  been  one  great  element  in  the  value  of  the  League's 
training.  Its  activities  have  been  "our"  business,  and  so 
have  been  regarded  with  a  loyalty  and  affection  not  other- 
wise attainable. 

And  the  League's  fellowship,  maintained  by  conven- 
tions, institutes,  rallies,  and,  in  large  measure,  by  The 
Epworth  Herald,  has  had  very  much  to  do  with  keeping  up 
the  esprit  de  corps,  the  enthusiasm,  and  the  unity  of  the 
great  multitude,  which,  in  widely  separated  places  and 
under  infinitely  varied  conditions,  is  one  "League, — offen- 
sive and  defensive,"  in  the  service  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  League  must  be  judged  not  by  how  much  more  it 
might  have  done,  but  by  how  much  less  would  have  been 
done  without  it.  The  great  majority  of  Methodists  have 
come  into  the  Church  since  the  League  was  organized,  and 
have  alwajrs  known  it  as  a  part  of  the  Church.  Its  work 
has  been  taken  for  granted.  But  there  can  be  no  doubt 
of  the  value  of  its  service  to  the  Church  and  the  community. 

The  Epworth  League  has  sustained  a  weekly  prayer- 
meeting,  which,  by  its  democratic  atmosphere  and  its  simple 
directness,  has  been  a  distinct  addition  to  the  Church's  social 
means  of  grace.  This  meeting  has  been  a  training-school  in 
devotion,  in  Christian  confession,  in  fellowship,  and  in 
leadership. 

13 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

It  has  discovered  great  fields  of  practical  service  which, 
before  its  advent,  were  almost  wholly  unoccupied  by  the 
young  people.  The  Social  Service  (formerly  known  as 
Mercy  and  Help)  work  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
the  similar  work  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South, 
and  the  corresponding  work  in  Canadian  Methodism,  have 
done  much  to  make  pointless  the  criticism  that  Methodists 
were  too  busy  getting  happy  to  pay  much  attention  to  the 
needs  of  those  about  them. 

The  remarkable  Deaconess  Movement,  which  has  grown 
side  by  side  with  the  Ep worth  League,  has  been  very 
largely  helped  by  the  League.  Scarcely  a  League  conven- 
tion is  held  but  the  deaconess  is  there  to  invite  and  direct 
the  practical  philanthropy  of  the  young  people,  and  to  en- 
list young  women  for  deaconess  service.  Hospital,  orphan- 
age, and  training-school  have  been  benefited  by  this  co- 
operation in  many  ways,  for  the  gifts  of  money  and  supplies 
have  been  crowned  by  the  gift  of  self.  Nearly  every 
wearer  of  the  white  ties  is  a  gift  of  the  Epworth  League 
to  the  Church. 

He  would  inquire  unwisely  who  left  the  League  out 
of  his  studies  of  the  present  missionary  revival.  The  "par- 
ish abroad"  idea  derives  its  chief  support  from  large  or 
small  organizations  of  the  League.  In  a  single  State  the 
Epworth  League  has  assumed  the  entire  support  of  a  score 
of  missionaries  in  the  foreign  field.  This  plan,  which  pro- 
vides the  personal  element  so  much  needed  in  the  support 
of  mission  work,  would  have  been,  at  the  outset,  almost  a 
negligible  quantity  but  for  the  Epworth  League. 

Apart  from  this  form  of  missionary  activity,  the  League 
has  furnished  a  direct  and  easy  channel  for  the  diffusion 
of  missionary  intelligence.  Mission  study  classes,  mission- 
ary institutes,  the  emphasis  on  missions  in  conventions  and 
rallies  are  only  the  outward  signs  of  a  great  missionary 
concern  in  the  League.  And  the  supply  of  missionary  re- 
cruits in  the  past  two  decades  has  come  mainly  from  the 
ranks  of  the  Epworth  League,  in  which  missionary  interest 
has  fired  missionary  zeal,  which  has  fused  the  purposes  of 
many  a  life  into  the  white  heat  of  personal  dedication  to  the 
missionary  enterprise. 

14 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

The  Conferences  of  Methodism  are  very  largely  the 
business  meetings  of  a  great  and  complex  institution.  They 
are  necessarily  cumbered  with  much  serving.  The  Epworth 
League,  with  its  minimum  of  machinery,  has  had  oppor- 
tunity to  provide  in  its  conventions  general  gatherings  for 
the  cultivation  of  the  spirit  of  fellowship,  for  the  emphasis 
on  the  connectional  idea,  and  for  the  conduct  of  exceed- 
ingly profitable  "Conversations  on  the  work  of  God." 

The  Epworth  League,  through  its  consistent  and  con- 
tinually increasing  emphasis  on  personal  dealing  with  the 
unconverted,  has  helped  to  provide  a  fruitful  means  of 
evangelism.  And  in  the  stated  revival  efforts  of  the  local 
Churches  there  is  a  mass  of  unassailable  testimony  which 
accords  the  League  high  place  as  a  loyal  and  effective 
agency,  affording  aid  of  the  utmost  value  to  the  pastor  and 
the  officiary  in  the  work  of  reaching  the  unsaved. 

There  is  more  giving,  more  generous  giving,  and  more 
systematic  giving  among  the  young  people  because  of  the 
work  and  influence  of  the  Epworth  League.  There  is  more 
private  prayer,  more  religious  meditation,  more  devotional 
reading  of  the  Word  of  God  in  Methodism  than  there  could 
have  been  without  the  efforts  of  the  League. 

In  brief,  every  activity  of  the  Church,  every  outgoing 
of  Christly  service,  every  element  in  the  upbuilding  of 
strong  and  symmetrical  Christian  character,  every  interest 
of  the  Kingdom  of  God,  has  been  blessed  and  profited 
through  the  providential  use  and  spread  of  the  Epworth 
League  throughout  the  Methodist  world. 

The  Wheel  That  Became  a  Cross. 

The  changes  in  the  Epworth  Cross,  made  in  1!>13, 
marked  one  more  step  in  the  evolution  of  a  device  that 
is  now  at  least  twenty-five  years  old. 

In  organizing  the  League,  at  the  memorable  Cleveland 
meeting,  the  founders  united  in  a  new  plan  of  organization. 
The  scheme,  when  printed  in  chart  form,  became  the  fore- 
runner of  the  famous  "Epworth  Wheel,"  which  later  gave 
place  to  the  "Epworth  Cross,"  the  present  graphic  form 
of  showing  the  varieties  of  League  work. 

15 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

It  is  interesting  now  to  see  what  the  young  people  of 
the  late  nineteenth  century  were  trying  to  do.  We  have 
small  reason  to  say  of  our  own  League  time  that  it  is  so 
much  more  wonderful  than  the  days  of  old ;  we  are  the  heirs 
of  great  thinking  and  large  purpose  in  the  former  gen- 
eration. 

The  descriptions  of  the  six  departments,  in  the  Cleve- 
land plan,  were  arranged  in  a  hexagon,  around  a  circle 
marked  "President."  As  now,  there  were  four  Vice-Presi- 
dents, a  Secretary,  and  a  Treasurer. 

The  department  of  Christian  work  was  under  the  First 
Vice-President.  It  had  these  subdivisions:  (1)  The  Con- 
ducting of  a  Weekly  Prayer-meeting,  (2)  Missionary  Work, 
(3)  The  Spiritual  Welfare  of  Members,  (4)  Carrying  on 
Christian  Work  Among  the  Young,  and  (5)  Sunday  School 
Interests. 

The  second  department  was  that  of  literary  work,  in- 
cluding: (1)  Lectures  and  Literary  Entertainments,  (2) 
Lyceum  Reading  Circles,  Papers,  Magazines,  Library,  and 
all  Educational  Work;  (3)  C.  L.  S.  C.  Reading,  (4)  Ox- 
ford League  Readings,  and  (5)   Home  Culture  Circles. 

"Social  Work"  was  the  name  of  the  third  department. 
Its  divisions  were:  (1)  All  Sociables  and  Social  Enter- 
tainments, (2)  Systematic  Visitation,  (3)  Reception  and 
Introduction  of  Members,  (4)  Look-up  Legion  Work,  (5) 
Social  Purity,  and   (6)   Temperance. 

The  department  of  entertainment  was  the  Fourth  Vice- 
President's  care.  It  provided  for :  ( 1 )  Music  for  all  Meet- 
ings, and  Selection  of  a  Chorister;  (2)  Excursions  and 
Picnics,  (3)  Amusements  for  all  Meetings,  (4)  Flower  Mis- 
sion Work,  (5)  Badges  and  Signals,  and  (6)  Children's 
Day  Exercises. 

The  only  points  needing  special  attention  in  the  Secre- 
tary's department  are  that  this  officer  was  expected  to 
gather  historical  and  other  statistics,  and  that  he  was  to 
keep  a  record  of  the  Chapter's  literary  work. 

Looking  through  these  divisions  of  the  work  of  one 
group  of  Oxford  Leagues,  it  is  easy  to  see  why  so  much 
of  the  idea  has  been  preserved  until  now,  and  also  why 
some  things  have  been  dropped. 

16 


IN  THE   BEGINNING. 

Missions  has  grown  from  being  one-fifth  of  a  depart- 
ment until  it  is  a  department  by  itself.  The  work  among 
children  has  come  to  such  proportions  as  were  not  dreamed 
of  in  the  Cleveland  "wheel."  Literary  work,  though 
changed  in  form,  has  not  lost  in  earnestness  or  interest,  and 
has  gained  in  directness 

Children's  Day  exercises  are  no  longer  conducted  by  the 
League,  nor  does  the  League  provide  for  Chautauqua  Circle- 
work  or  Home  Culture  Circles. 

Now  we  are  thinking  a  little  more  than  formerly  about 
serving  and  helping  the  community.  We  have  an  entirely 
new  notion  about  what  Christian  stewardship  means.  We 
talk  about  personal  evangelism,  and  do  more  of  it.  We 
think  of  amusements  and  entertainments  as  something  we 
owe  to  the  whole  neighborhood. 

These  new  movements  are  germinal  in  the  old.  The 
League  could  not  live  and  grow  without  producing  new 
applications  of  old  principles. 

But — and  this  is  the  significant  thing  for  us  of  to-day — 
the  Wheel  long  ago  became  a  Cross!  In  1903  that  hap- 
pened. 

And  there's  a  difference.  A  wheel  carries  the  burden; 
a  cross  is  itself  to  be  carried.  A  wheel  runs  with  the  mini- 
mum of  effort;  it  costs  something  to  take  up  a  cross.  A 
wheel  is  good  for  the  beaten  path;  a  cross  must  be  borne 
wherever  One  goes  before  who  has  said,  "Follow  Me." 

In  a  word,  we  know  now,  perhaps  a  little  better  than 
was  known  twenty-five  years  ago,  that  the  Christian  work 
of  young  people  is  as  serious,  as  urgent,  as  imperative,  as 
any  other  form  of  Christian  work.  It  is  not  mere  drill 
work  nor  wooden  gun  parade.  It  is,  for  the  moment,  the 
business  of  life. 

They  felt  something  of  that  in  the  other  days  when  the 
League  was  seeking  to  be  born.  But  the  time  of  its  full 
realizing  came  later.  And  when  that  time  arrived,  that 
which  had  been  a  Wheel  became  a  Cross. 

"If  any  man  will  come  after  Me,  let  him  take  up  his 
Cross  daily  and  follow  Me." 

2  17 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The   Vindication   of  the  League's  Church   Relation- 
ship. 

In  the  beginning  the  Ep worth  League  was  organized 
as  a  Methodist  young  people's  society. 

At  the  outset  it  met  with  more  than  a  little  adverse 
criticism  from  people  who  felt,  in  all  sincerity,  that  the 
proper  thing  to  do  was  to  merge  it  into  an  organization 
which  might  include  the  young  people  of  all  Churches. 

The  Epworth  League  was  thought  to  be  too  narrow  a 
society,  too  exclusive.  It  was  urged  to  be  broad  and  in- 
clusive ;  to  make  itself  a  part  of  a  great  interdenominational 
demonstration  of  the  unity  of  the  Churches. 

At  that  time  there  existed  a  great,  all-inclusive  organi- 
zation for  work  among  the  children  and  young  people,  in 
which  Methodists  worked  side  by  side  with  other  Christians 
of  all  names.  That  was  the  International  Sunday  School 
Association.  It  provided  the  Uniform  Lessons,  and  was 
completely  organized,  with  auxiliary  associations  reaching 
down  through  provincial,  State,  county,  and  township  asso- 
ciations, clear  to  the  little  Sunday  school  at  the  forks  of 
Elk  Creek. 

That  organization  is  here  yet. 

But  not  as  it  was ;  and  the  difference  is  an  endorsement 
of  the  wisdom  which,  at  the  outset,  held  the  Epworth 
League  to  the  denominational  form  of  organization  and 
control. 

In  February,  1913,  two  groups  of  leaders  came  together 
at  Dayton,  Ohio.  One  group  represented  the  long-estab- 
lished, far-reaching  International  Association.  The  other 
represented  the  official  leaders  of  denominational  Sunday 
school  work  in  North  America. 

But  the  meeting  was  of  the  highest  interest  to  all  work- 
ers in  denominational  societies  of  every  sort. 

It  forecasted  the  taking  over  by  all  the  denominations, 
sooner  or  later,  of  the  control  of  their  Sunday  school  work. 
They  are  no  longer  willing  to  leave  it  largely  to  an  inter- 
denominational association,  although  they  are  more  than 
ever  willing  to  tvork  together  in  the  Sunday  school  move- 
ment. 

18 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

The  thought  of  the  Sundaj^  school  executives  who  are 
chosen  by  the  Churches,  and  responsible  to  them,  was  ex- 
pressed with  great  clearness  in  the  report  of  the  secretary, 
Dr.  H.  H.  Meyer. 

Because  two  paragraphs  of  that  report  state  the  exact 
principles  on  which  the  Epworth  League  was  founded, 
they  are  reprinted  here.  We  have  taken  the  liberty  of 
substituting  for  the  words  "Sunday  School,"  wherever  they 
occur,  the  words  which  are  printed  in  italics : 

Every  denomination  at  all  equipped  and  organized 
for  Young  People's  work  is  awake  and  disposed  to 
regard  its  responsibility  seriously,  and  to  strengthen 
its  own  agencies  at  every  point,  from  the  local  society 
to  the  denominational  supervising  board  or  committee. 
This  does  not  mean  an  unwillingness  on  the  part  of 
any  denomination  to  enter  heartily  into  fellowship  with 
interdenominational  Young  People's  leaders,  either  in 
the  local  or  in  the  general  field.  It  does  mean,  how- 
ever, that  the  seriousness  of  the  task  with  which  every 
denomination  is  confronted,  and  responsibility  for  the 
fulfillment  of  which  rests  upon  the  denominational 
Young  People's  leaders,  will  make  it  quite  impossible 
for  the  denominations  permanently  to  co-operate  with 
each  other  in  interdenominational  Young  People's  work 
through  the  channels  offered  by  an  outside,  independent 
organization,  in  the  inner  councils  of  which  the  re- 
sponsible denominational  Young  People's  executives,  as 
such,  have  no  voice. 

The  principle  for  which  the  council  stands,  and 
stands  as  a  unit,  is  that  of  denominational  autonomy  in 
matters  of  Young  People's  administration  and  instruc- 
tion. The  corollary  of  this  principle  is  that  the  de- 
nominations, as  such,  can  not  conduct  their  co-operative 
educational  and  extension  propaganda  except  through 
channels  over  which  they  have  immediate  control. 
There  will  always  be  a  broad  field  of  usefulness  open 
to  independent  organizations,  but  ultimately,  though 
perhaps  gradually,  every  important  department  of 
work,  on  both  the  educational  and  administrative  sides, 
must  be  taken  over  by  some  organization  officially 
19 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

constituted  by  and  for  the  co-operating  denominations 
themselves. 
Now,  these  words  do  not  speak  the  thought  of  narrow- 
minded  partisans.     There  is  no  fencing-out,  no  disfellow- 
shiping  of  the  other  man.     There  could  not  be  in  this  day 
of  enlarged  and  enlarging  comity  among  the  Churches. 

For  example,  the  Federal  Council  of  Churches  is  a 
pretty  broad  affair.  So  is  the  Home  Missions  Council.  And 
the  missionary  secretaries  of  the  various  Churches  are  do- 
ing an  amount  of  united,  co-operative  work  that  would 
have  staggered  the  imagination  of  the  most  aggressive 
Church  a  few  years  ago.  These  secretaries  can  not  possibly 
be  denominational  hardshells. 

But  they  are  all  seeking  to  get  their  own  Churches  as 
compactly  organized,  as  denominationally  self-conscious  as 
possible,  for  the  very  reason  that  the  Churches  must  work 
together  more  efficiently  ! 

To  do  the  large  tasks  which  are  the  present  business 
of  the  Protestant  Churches,  every  Church  must  first  be,  in 
every  department,  efficiently  organized  and  operated  within 
itself. 

Then  it  can  bring  to  bear  in  Sunday  school  work,  in 
Social  Service,  in  the  Missionary  enterprise,  in  Young  Peo- 
ple's work,  a  force  which,  by  its  very  concreteness  and  com- 
pactness, can  be  used  in  co-operation  with  the  like  forces 
which  its  denominational  neighbors  have  developed. 

For,  as  Secretary  Meyer  says,  in  another  part  of  the 
report  which  is  quoted  above: 

Let  us   not  deceive   ourselves   with   regard   to  the 
present  trend  of  the  development  of  every  department 
of  Church  work  in  the  larger  field.     This  is  obviously 
and  most  definitely  in  the  direction  of  direct  co-opera- 
tive denominational  control  of  interdenominational  ac- 
tivities. 
This  subject  is  not  referred  to  here  to   revive   a   for- 
gotten controversy,  which  has  no  present-day  interest  save 
as  history. 

This,  rather,  is  the  thing  the  League  should  consider: 
If  the  League  was  so  wisely  directed  in  the  days  of  its 

20 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

beginnings  that,  after  twenty-four  years,  the  leaders  of  the 
Churches  began  to  apply  the  same  principles  to  other  de- 
partments of  religious  activity — what  have  we  of  the  League 
to  do  but  to  justify  our  birthright,  by  working  with  all  our 
might  to  make  ourselves  fit  for  Methodism's  share  in  the 
co-operative  work  of  the  Churches  ? 

The  Church  must  shape  and  control  the  League,  because 
only  so  can  it  make  the  League  its  efficient  vocational  school. 
Inside  that  control  the  League  must  develop  individual 
initiative,  personal  responsibility,  ability  for  spontaneous 
service,  which  marks  the  work  of  a  good  vocational  school. 

And,  in  the  measure  that  the  League  reaches  this  ideal, 
it  will  echo  Matthew  Simpson's  declaration:  "We  live  to 
make  our  own  Church  a  power  in  the  land,  and  to  love 
every  other  Church  that  exalts  our  Christ." 

More  than  that,  it  will  be  able,  as  a  part  of  the  Church, 
and  with  the  other  Churches,  to  give  a  twentieth-century 
fulfillment  to  John  Wesley's  eighteenth-century  longing: 
"I  desire  a  League,  offensive  and  defensive,  with  every 
soldier  of  Jesus  Christ !" 

Why  the  League  Works  As  It  Does. 

A  man  asked  one  day,  "What 's  the  reason  for  the 
League,  anyway?" 

Readers  of  "Nicholas  Nickleby"  will  remember  the 
Squeers  system  of  education ;  first  the  boy  spelled  the  word, 
"w-i-n-d-e-r,  window,"  and  then  he  went  out  and  washed 
the  thing  which  the  word  denoted. 

Mr.  Squeers  was  an  ignorant  and  conscienceless  villain ; 
but  he  was  not  entirely  astray  in  his  principles  of  pedagogy 
The  new  education  says,  "We  learn  to  do  by  doing." 

The  Epworth  League  does  much  teaching,  exhorting, 
appealing.  It  seeks  to  deal  largely  with  the  inner  life  of 
its  members.     It  is  cultural,  inspirational,  didactic. 

But  its  great  word  is  action!  It  is  trying  to  wash  the 
"winder." 

The  Sunday  school  may  do  more  teaching.  The  preach- 
ing service  may  be  more  appealing  and  inspiring.  But 
the  League  is  not  satisfied  unless  its  members  are  getting 
education  and  inspiration  out  of  their  round  of  service. 

21 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Not  much  docs  it  matter  that  the  service  is  crude,  even 
blundering  at  times.  Both  spelling  and  washing  the  "win- 
der" may  leave  much  to  be  desired.  What  the  League  seeks, 
and  what  the  Church  needs,  is  a  body  of  young  people  able 
to  harness  their  principles  to  their  Christian  opportunities. 

Mission  study  is  expected  to  produce — and  does  produce 
— missionary  giving,  even  to  the  giving  of  self. 

Social  service  is  to  be  something  bigger  than  a  new 
convention-institute  talking  point.  It  means  charity,  help- 
fulness, intelligent  acquaintance  with  the  common  needs  of 
the  neighborhood,  and  a  readiness  to  help  in  meeting  them. 

The  "love  thy  neighbor"  teaching  is  in  the  League's 
course  of  study,  but  it  is  also  being  worked  out  in  the  varied 
activities  of  the  recreation  and  culture  department,  as  well 
as  in  social  service. 

And  the  spiritual  work  is  real  work.  It  is  often  shallow, 
often  cheap,  often  based  on  a  shaky  theology.  But  it  is 
done.  The  Sunday  night  spectacle  of  thousands  of  religious 
meetings,  in  which  young  men  and  women  talk  about  the 
great  spiritual  themes,  and  direct  one  another's  thought  to 
religious  certainties  and  their  meaning  for  life — that  is  a 
sight  the  angels  rejoice  over,  in  spite  of  all  the  too  true 
complaints  that  the  devotional  meeting  is  not  anything  near 
what  it  should  be. 

The  League  desires  to  link  Christian  profession  to 
broad,  all-inclusive  Christian  living.  It  seeks  to  provide 
expressional  deeds  to  make  young  people's  religion  a  thing 
of  worth  in  every-day  actual  living. 

And  its  members  are  encouraged  to  do  all  this  on  their 
own  initiative  and  in  their  own  way.  That 's  the  reason 
for  the  League. 

Thoughts  in  the  Evolution  of  League  Life. 
No   Epworth   League   Chapter  can  live  on  last  year's 
banners. 

What  people  want  the  Epworth  League  to  have  is  not 
perfection,  but  vision. 

The  Chapter  that  never  made  a  mistake  has  disbanded 
for  fear  of  spoiling  its  record. 

22 


IN  THE  BEGINNING. 

"The  Epworth  League  a  failure  in  our  Church?  Why, 
it  has  n't  really  been  tried  yet." 

When  you  would  answer  anger  with  anger,  remember 
that  Beelzebub  does  not  cast  out  devils. 

If  you  have  your  doubts  about  the  League,  get  busy  at 
some  of  its  work.     Your  doubts  will  die  of  neglect. 

If  no  Epworth  League  Chapter  had  ever  suffered  from 
its  own  folly,  there  would  be  fewer  wise  Chapters  than 
there  are. 

Certainly  the  Epworth  League  can  be  trusted.  But  it 
needs  as  much  training  in  moral  distinctions  as  the  rest  of 
the  Church. 

It  would  stiffen  many  a  weak  backbone  to  remember 
that  the  Epworth  League  is  one  of  the  plans  of  God,  and 
that  God's  plans  always  mean  something. 

The  one  thing  the  League  ought  not  to  endure  is  the 
refusal  of  any  Church  or  any  people  in  the  Church  to  take 
it  seriously.     Better  have  enemies  than  belittlers. 

The  Epworth  League  is  not  a  Church  cut  down  to  fit 
young  folks.  It  is  a  part  of  the  Church,  and  fits  young 
folks  just  as  the  whole  Church  does,  which  was  made  for 
them. 

Graduate  Epworthians  are  running  the  Methodism  of 
to-day.  Without  looking  at  the  records,  we  could  name  ten 
great  leaders  who  were  started,  inspirited,  and  trained  in 
the  Epworth  League. 

Whatever  good  or  bad  is  in  the  Epworth  League,  it  is 
the  only  Epworth  League  there  is.  We  may  make  the  best 
of  it  or  the  worst  of  it.  But  to  ignore  it  or  to  wipe  it  out 
would  be  equally  foolish. 

Do  n't  believe  anybody  who  tells  you  that  young  folks 
are  not  ready  to  make  sacrifices  for  the  sake  of  others. 
There  was  an  heroic  age.  But  also  there  is  now  an  heroic 
age.  Every  age  is  heroic,  because  in  every  age  the  world's 
young  people  are  ready  for  high  adventure  and  noble  self- 
forgetfulness. 


23 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

The  scheme  of  League  organization  is  in  harmony  with 
the  connectional  theory  of  Methodism.  The  parent  body 
is  the  Ejjworth  League  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
witli  its  Board  of  Control.  Then  comes  the  District  League, 
and,  as  the  unit  of  organization,  the  Chapter  in  the  local 
Church.  There  are  other  organizations,  such  as  the  Con- 
ference League,  the  State  League,  and  General  Conference 
District  League,  fulby  sanctioned  by  the  law  of  the  Church, 
but  these  are  not  essential  to  the  connectional  scheme. 

The  Epworth  League  exists  by  the  authority  of  the 
General  Conference,  and  is  entirely  under  the  control  and 
direction  of  that  body.  The  General  Secretary,  who  is  the 
executive  officer  of  the  League,  and  the  Editor  of  The  Ep- 
worth Herald  are  both  elected  by  the  General  Conference, 
and  all  the  legislation  concerning  the  League  either  origi- 
nates in  the  General  Conference  or  is  delegated  by  it  to 
the  Board  of  Control. 

The  Board  of  Control  consists  of  eighteen  persons  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  of  Bishops.  The  Board  of  Bishops 
also  appoints  one  of  its  number  as  President  of  the  Epworth 
League  and  the  Board  of  Control.  Three  are  members-at- 
large,  two  of  them  laymen.  The  others  are  chosen  from 
the  several  General  Conference  Districts,  of  which  there 
are  now  fifteen.  It  is  required  that  half  of  them,  when 
the  number  of  districts  is  even,  shall  be  laymen.  A  min- 
isterial  member   now    represents    the    odd    district. 

The  chapter  in  the  Discipline  which  relates  to  the  Ep- 
worth League  provides  a  Constitution  for  the  government 
of  the  entire  organization,  framed  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence. This  is  called,  for  convenience,  the  General  Consti- 
tution. It  can  be  altered  or  amended  only  by  the  General 
Conference. 

24 


THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

General  Constitution. 
Article  I.     Name.     The  title  of  this  organization  shall 
be,    "The    Epworth    League    of    the    Methodist    Episcopal 
Church." 

Article  II.  Object.  The  object  of  the  League  shall 
be  to  promote  intelligence  and  vital  piety  in  the  young 
members  and  friends  of  the  Church,  to  aid  them  in  the  at- 
tainment of  purity  of  heart  and  constant  growth  in  grace, 
and  to  train  them  in  works  of  mercy  and  help. 

Article  III.  Organization.  With  a  view  of  carrying 
out  the  objects  of  the  League,  the  Chapters  and  such  other 
young  people's  societies  as  may  be  approved  by  the  Quar- 
terly Conferences  shall  be  organized  into  District  Superin- 
tendents' District  Leagues,  and  may  also  be  formed  into 
General  Conference  District  Leagues.  Other  groupings 
may  be  arranged  for  the  advantage  of  the  work,  such  as 
Annual  Conference  Leagues,  State  Leagues,  and  City 
Leagues. 

The  Chapter  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  Quar- 
terly Conference  and  pastor.  Any  Young  People's  Society 
may  become  an  affiliated  Chapter  of  the  Epworth  League, 
provided  that  it  adopt  the  aims  of  the  League,  that  its 
President  and  other  officers  and  its  general  plans  of  work 
are  approved  by  the  pastor  and  Official  Board  of  Quarterly 
Conference,  and  that  it  is  enrolled  at  the  Central  Office. 
Article  IV.  Government.  The  management  of  the 
Epworth  League  shall  be  vested  in  a  Board  of  Control, 
which  shall  consist  of  a  Bishop  and  one  member  from  each 
General  Conference  District,  nominated  by  the  delegates 
of  the  respective  General  Conference  Districts,  and  elected 
by  the  General  Conference,  the  odd  Districts  to  be  repre- 
sented by  Ministers,  the  even  Districts  by  Laymen.  There 
shall  also  be  three  members-at-large,  consisting  of  two  Lay- 
men and  one  Minister,  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Bishops. 
The  Bishop  shall  be  President  of  the  Epworth  League  and 
of  the  Board  of  Control.  The  Editor  of  The  Epworth 
Herald,  the  General  Secretary,  the  German  Assistant  Sec- 
retary, and  the  Assistant  Secretary  for  Colored  Conferences 
shall*  be  advisory  members  of  the  Board  of  Control.  In 
case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  General  Secretary  during 

25 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  quadrennium,  the  same  shall  be  filled  by  the  Board  of 
Control.  The  Board  of  Control  shall  meet  at  least  four 
times  during  each  quadrennium. 

Article  V.  Officers.  The  Officers  of  the  League  shall 
be  a  President,  a  Vice-President,  a  General  Secretary,  and 
a  Treasurer.  The  President  shall  be  chosen  as  hereinbefore 
provided.  The  Vice-President  shall  be  chosen  by  the  Board 
of  Control  from  its  own  body.  The  General  Secretary  shall 
be  elected  by  the  General  Conference,  and  shall  be  the 
executive  officer  of  the  League.  He  shall  have  charge  of 
the  correspondence,  shall  keep  the  records  of  the  League, 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Board  of  Control  may 
direct.  The  Editor  of  The  Epworth  Herald  shall  be  elected 
by  the  General  Conference,  and  shall  perform  such  duties 
as  relate  to  the  editorial  departments  of  Epworth  League 
publications.  The  Treasurer  shall  be  elected  by  the  Board 
of  Control. 

These  officers  shall  be  elected  quadrennially,  and  shall 
hold  office  until  their  successors  are  chosen. 

Vacancies  in  any  of  the  above-mentioned  positions,  ex- 
cept the  Presidency  and  the  Editorship  of  The  Epworth 
Herald,  shall  be  filled  by  the  Board  of  Control. 

Article  VI.  German  Assistant  Secretary.  The  Editor 
of  Haus  und  Herd  is  constituted  the  German  Assistant  Sec- 
retary of  the  Epworth  League. 

Article  VII.  Assistant  Secretary  for  Colored  Confer- 
ences. There  shall  be  an  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Ep- 
worth League  for  work  within  Colored  Conferences,  to  be 
elected  quadrennially  by  the  Board  of  Control,  who  shall 
perform  such  duties  as  the  Board  of  Control  may  direct. 

Article  VIII.  Finance.  The  salary  of  the  Editor  of 
The  Epworth  Herald  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Book  Committee 
and  paid  by  the  Book  Concern.  The  salaries  of  the  Gen- 
eral Secretary  and  Assistant  Secretary  for  work  within 
Colored  Conferences  shall  be  fixed  by  the  Board  of  Control, 
and  shall  be  paid  together  with  such  administrative  ex- 
penses as  may  be  authorized  by  the  Board  of  Control,  and 
in  such  amount  as  the  Board  of  Control  may  designate, 
from  contributions  by  the  local  Chapters,  and  the  profits 
on  Epworth  League  publications  and  supplies. 

26 


THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

Article  IX.  Central  Office.  The  Central  Office  of  the 
Epworth  League  shall  be  in  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Article  X.  Local  Constitution.  The  Constitution  for 
local  Chapters  shall  be  determined  by  the  Board  of  Con- 
trol ;  provided,  however,  that  no  enactment  shall  be  made 
which  shall  in  any  manner  conflict  with  this  General  Con- 
stitution. 

Article  XL  By-Laxcs.  The  Board  of  Control  shall 
have  power  to  enact  such  By-Laws  for  its  own  government 
as  will  not  conflict  with  this  Constitution. 

Article  XII.  Amendments.  This  Constitution  shall 
be  altered  or  amended  only  by  the  General  Constitution. 

Local  Constitution. 

The  Local  Constitution,  which  applies  to  and  governs 
the  individual  Chapters,  is  framed  by  the  Board  of  Control. 

The  Local  Constitution  may  be  changed  by  the  Board 
of  Control,  but  only  so  far  as  the  changes  may  be  in  har- 
mony with  the  General  Constitution.  It  can  not  be  changed 
by  local  Chapters,  and  is  not  subject  to  adoption  by  them. 
Whatever  modifications  are  made  in  it  from  time  to  time 
by  the  Board  of  Control  become  immediately  operative  in 
every  Chapter,  and  the  work  should  be  adjusted  to  these 
changes  promptly.  The  Local  Constitution,  as  it  now 
stands,  is  as  follows,  as  revised  by  the  Board  of  Control 
at  Buffalo,  June  G-7,  1913: 

Article  I.     Name. — This  organization  shall  be  known 

as   the   Epworth   League   of  the    Methodist 

Episcopal  Church  of ,  and  shall  be  subordi- 
nate to  the  Quarterly  Conference  of  said  Church.  It  shall 
be  a  Chapter  of  the  Epworth  League  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Article  II.  Object. — The  object  of  the  League  is  to 
promote  intelligent  and  vital  piety  in  the  young  members 
and  friends  of  the  Church;  to  aid  them  in  the  attainment 
of  puritv  of  heart  and  in  constant  growth  in  grace,  and 
to  train  them  in  works  of  mercy  and  help. 

Article  III.  Membership. —  1.  Membership  shall  be 
constituted  by  election  of  the  Chapter,  on  nomination  of  the 
Cabinet;  and,  as  far  as  practicable,  membership  shall  be 

27 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

confined  to  persons  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  thirty- 
five. 

2.  The  pastor  shall  be  cx-ofjicio  a  member  of  the  Chap- 
ter and  the  Cabinet.* 

(Footnote  to  Article  III,  Section  2.) 
*Whenever   a   Chapter   so   decides,   there   shall  be 
two  classes  of  members,  active  and  associate.     Active 
members  shall,  in  addition  to  election  as  provided  in 
Section  1,  subscribe  to  the  following  pledge: 

"I  will  earnestly  seek  for  myself,  and  do  all  that 
I  can  to  help  others  attain  the  highest  New  Testament 
standard  of  experience  and  life.  I  will  refrain  from 
taking  such  diversions  as  can  not  be  used  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  will,  so  far  as  possible,  attend 
the  devotional  meetings  of  the  Chapter  and  the  wor- 
ship of  the  Church,  and  will  take  some  active  part  in 
them." 

In  such  cases,  active  members  only  shall  be  eligible 
to  election  as  officers  of  the  Chapter.     Associate  mem- 
bers shall  be  entitled  to  all  other  privileges  of  mem- 
bership excepting  the  right  to  vote  in  the  election  of 
officers  or  to  hold  office. 
Article  IV.     Departments. — The  work  of  the  League 
shall  be  carried  on  through  four  departments,  as  follows : 
1.  Department  of  Spiritual  Work.     2.  Department  of  World 
Evangelism.     3.  Department  of  Social  Service.     4.  Depart- 
ment of  Recreation  and  Culture. 

The  distribution  of  work  under  each  department  shall 
be  as  follows : 

1.  Department  of  Spiritual  Work. — This  department 
shall  arrange  for  the  regular  devotional  meetings  of  the 
Chapter.  It  shall  look  after  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
members,  inviting  those  who  are  interested  to  join  the 
classes  of  the  Church.  To  it  shall  be  committed  the  work, 
wherever  possible,  of  organizing  and  training  a  personal 
workers'  class.  It  shall,  at  least  once  each  year,  present 
the  subject  of  the  Morning  Watch  Enrollment,  endeavoring 
to  enlist  all  the  members  and  friends  of  the  League  and 
Church  in  the  movement.     It  shall  endeavor  to  interest  the 

28 


THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

young  people  in  systematic  daily  Bible  study,  and  shall 
have  supervision  of  the  Bible  Study  classes.  To  this  end 
it  is  recommended  that  a  Committee  on  Bible  Study  be  ap- 
pointed. It  shall  instruct  the  membership  of  the  Chapter 
in  the  doctrines,  polity,  history,  and  present  activities  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the  other  denominations 
of  the  Church  universal.  It  may  plan  special  revival  meet- 
ings, and  neighborhood  outdoor  and  cottage  services,  and 
other  meetings  of  like  purpose.  It  may  also  conduct  devo- 
tional meetings  for  special  classes  of  persons,  as  sailors, 
railroad  men,  etc.,  and  may  also  conduct  prayer-meetings 
for  children  where  there  is  no  Chapter  of  the  Junior 
League.  To  it  shall  be  committed  all  the  evangelistic  and 
devotional  activities  of  the  Chapter.  Where  the  work  of 
the  League  is  so  divided  that  the  work  of  the  different 
departments  is  interwoven,  the  Department  of  Spiritual 
Work  shall  arrange  for  the  devotional  services  in  sociables, 
lectures,  and  all  meetings  of  similar  character. 

2.  Department  of  World  Evangelism. — This  depart- 
ment shall  endeavor  to  interest  the  young  people  in  the 
missionary  and  other  benevolent  interests  of  the  Church. 
It  shall  enlist  the  members  in  the  systematic  study  of 
Christian  missions.  It  shall  have  charge  of  the  circulation 
of  the  Missionary  Library  and  Literature.  It  shall  arrange 
for  the  monthly  missionary  meetings  of  the  Chapter,  and 
shall  circulate  a  cycle  of  prayer  for  World  Evangelism. 
At  least  once  each  year  it  shall  present  to  the  Chapter 
the  claims  of  Christian  Stewardship  and  shall  encourage 
the  members  in  the  study  and  practice  of  Christian  Stew- 
ardship. It  shall  continually  keep  before  the  young  people 
the  aim  of  this  department,  as  embodied  in  its  motto,  "The 
world  for  Christ  in  this  generation." 

3.  Department  of  Social  Service. — This  department 
shall  arrange  for  the  systematic  visitation  of  the  members 
of  the  Chapter,  the  sick  of  the  neighborhood,  the  aged,  and 
the  newcomers  to  the  community.  It  shall  promote  the 
study  of  social  service  among  the  members,  and,  wherever 
practicable,  conduct  a  social  survey  of  the  community.  It 
shall  interest  the  League  in  the  charities  of  the  place,  and 
plan  to  give  aid  when  needed.     It  shall  promote,  wherever 

29 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

possible,  campaigns  of  temperance  reform,  the  signing  of 
the  temperance  pledge,  and  the  circulation  of  temperance 
literature,  and  shall  conduct  temperance  study  classes.  It 
shall  have  charge  of  social  purity  work,  tract  distribution. 
Christian  citizenship,  and  kindred  activities.  All  kinds  of 
charitable  work,  when  undertaken  by  the  Chapter — such 
as  visiting  hospitals,  nursing,  distributing  flowers,  starting 
industrial  schools,  conducting  employment  bureaus,  coffee 
houses,  day  nurseries,  etc. — shall  be  under  its  care. 

4.  Department  of  Recreation  and  Culture. — It  shall  be 
the  aim  of  this  department  to  give  stimulus  and  direction 
to  general  Christian  culture,  to  do  what  it  can  to  quicken 
the  intellectual  and  social  life  of  its  members  and  of  the 
community.  It  may  open,  wherever  practicable,  libraries, 
reading  rooms,  art  rooms,  night  schools,  and  the  like.  It 
shall  arrange  for  lectures  and  literary  gatherings,  when 
members  of  the  Chapter  and  others  shall  present  essays, 
papers,  talks,  debates,  etc.  It  shall  endeavor  to  extend 
the  circulation  of  The  Epzvorth  Herald,  and  of  the  other 
publications  of  the  Church.  It  shall  be  on  the  lookout 
for  new  members,  and  be  ready  to  receive  them  and  intro- 
duce them  at  all  meetings  of  the  Chapter.  It  shall  have 
charge  of  the  social  part  of  all  gatherings.  The  music 
of  the  Chapter  (except  that  of  the  devotional  meetings) 
and  its  entertainments  shall  be  under  its  care.  It  may 
provide  flowers  for  the  pulpit,  ushers  when  needed,  and 
attend  to  procuring  badges,  emblems,  banners,  decorations, 
etc.,  and  be  the  custodian  of  all  such  effects  belonging  to 
the  Chapter.  Athletic  events,  indoors  and  out-of-doors,  and 
all  such  recreations  as  picnics,  excursions,  and  other  out- 
ings shall  be  under  its  care. 

Article  V.  Officers. —  1.  The  officers  shall  be  a  Presi- 
dent, First  Vice-President,  Second  Vice-President,  Third 
Vice-President,  Fourth  Vice-President,  Secretary,  Treas- 
urer, and  Junior  League  Superintendent. 

2.  The  President,  who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  on  a 
majority  vote.  The  other  officers,  who  shall  be  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  or  some  other  evangelical 
Church,  shall  be  elected  in  the  same  manner,  except  the 

30 


THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

Junior  League  Superintendent,  who  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  pastor. 

3.  After  approval  of  the  President  by  the  Quarterly 
Conference,  the  names  of  the  officers,  with  their  addresses, 
shall  be  promptly  forwarded  to  the  Central  Office  of  the 
Epworth  League. 

4.  The  President  shall  perform  the  duties  usually  as- 
signed to  his  office.  The  Vice-Presidents,  in  the  order 
named  (beginning  with  the  First  Vice-President),  shall  rep- 
resent and  have  charge  respectively  of  the  Departments  of 
Spiritual  Work,  World  Evangelism,  Social  Service,  and 
Recreation  and  Culture.  The  officers,  together  with  the 
Pastor,  shall  constitute  the  Cabinet  of  the  Chapter,  aiding 
the  President  as  he  may  need. 

5.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  complete  record  of  the 
membership,  of  all  the  meetings,  and  of  all  courses  of  read- 
ing and  study  pursued  by  the  Chapter.  It  is  desirable  that 
he  send  reports  of  its  meetings  to  local  papers ;  also  that 
he  keep  copies  of  all  programs,  newspaper  and  other  notices 
of  Chapter  affairs,  and  all  memorabilia  relating  to  its  do- 
ings. He  may  carry  on  correspondence  with  absent  mem- 
bers and  other  Chapters,  and  read  the  replies  at  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Chapter,  as  the  Chapter  may  order.  He  shall 
conduct  all  correspondence  with  the  Central  and  District 
Offices,  and  be  the  custodian  of  all  the  records  of  the 
Chapter.  Through  him  members  in  good  standing  shall 
be  recommended  to  other  Chapters.  The  Secretary  may 
choose  one  or  more  assistants  to  aid  him  in  his  work. 

6.  The  Treasurer  shall  present  to  the  Chapter  plans 
for  meeting  the  financial  needs  of  the  Chapter.  He  shall 
collect  all  dues  and  receive  all  moneys,  disbursing  the  same 
as  the  Chapter  may  direct.  He  shall  forward  to  the  As- 
sistant Treasurer  of  the  Epworth  League,  1020  Wabash 
Avenue,  Chicago,  111.,  during  the  month  of  April  in  each 
year,  such  an  amount  as  the  Board  of  Control  shall  request 
to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  general  organization.*  The 
Treasurer  may  choose  one  or  more  assistants  to  aid  him  in 
his  work. 

(Footnote  to  Article   V,  Section   6.) 
*The    Board    of    Control.    June.    1008,    fixed    the 
31 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

amount  at  a  sum  equal  to  five  cents  a  member  for  each 
Senior  Chapter,  three  cents  a  member  for  each  Inter- 
mediate Chapter,  and  two  cents  a  member  for  each 
Junior  Chapter,  plus  enough  to  raise  any  fractional 
part  of  a  dollar  to  a  full  dollar. 

7.  The  Superintendent  of  the  Junior  League  shall  have 
charge  of  all  work  in  the  Junior  League.  For  specific  direc- 
tions as  to  methods  of  work,  see  the  local  Constitution  for 
the  Junior  League. 

8.  For  the  purpose  of  enlisting  all  in  the  work  and 
rendering  it  more  effective,  the  Cabinet  shall  assign  each 
member  of  the  Chapter  to  at  least  one  department  of  work. 
Each  Vice-President  shall  name  to  the  Chapter  a  com- 
mittee of  from  three  to  five  members  for  the  management 
of  his  department,  the  officer  being  ex-officio  chairman.  If 
for  any  cause  all  the  offices  of  a  Chapter  shall  be  vacated, 
a  special  meeting  may  be  called  by  the  pastor  to  fill  the 
vacancies. 

9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Cabinet  to  organize,  a 
Junior  League,  under  the  control  of  a  Superintendent,  to 
be  appointed  by  the  pastor. 

Article  VI.  Meetings. — The  Chapter  shall  hold  a  de- 
votional meeting  on    evening  of  each  week, 

under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Spiritual  Work. 
Other  meetings  shall  be  held  as  the  Cabinet  may  arrange 
for  them. 

Article  VII.  In  case  of  immorality,  unchristian  con- 
duct, or  neglect  of  duty,  the  Chapter,  at  any  regularly 
called  meeting,  may,  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  members 
present  and  voting,  exclude  the  offender  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  two-thirds  of  the  Cabinet.  The  accused  shall 
have  the  right  to  be  heard  by  the  Cabinet  before  any 
decisive  action  is  taken. 

Article  VIII.  By-Laws  and  Amendments. — The 
Chapter  may  adopt  such  by-laws,  consistent  with  the  Con- 
stitution, as  may  be  needed.  Amendments  to  said  by-laws 
must  be  submitted  in  writing  to  the  Cabinet,  and,  when 
approved  by  it,  may  be  adopted  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
those  present  at  any  regular  meeting;  provided,  however, 

32 


THE  ORGANIC   LAW. 

that   all    by-laws    must    be    in    harmony    with    the    League 
pledge. 

THE   PRESIDENT. 

The  President  of  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  must  be 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  shall  be 
elected  by  the  Chapter  and  confirmed  by  the  Quarterly 
Conference,  of  which  body  he  shall  then  become  a  member 
if  approved  by  it  for  membership  therein.  It  shall  be  his 
duty  to  present  to  the  Quarterly  Conference  a  report  of 
his  Chapter,  together  with  such  information  as  the  Con- 
ference may  require  and  he  may  be  able  to  give. 

DISTRICT    SUPERINTENDENTS    AND    PASTORS. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  District  Superintendents, 
when  holding  District  or  Quarterly  Conference,  to  inquire 
into  the  condition  of  Epworth  League  Chapters  and  such 
other  Young  People's  Societies  as  may  be  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Quarterly  and  District  Conferences,  and  to 
ascertain  whether  they  are  conducting  their  affairs  in  har- 
mony with  the  purpose  and  Discipline  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  Pastors  to  organize  and  main- 
tain, if  practicable,  Chapters  of  the  Epworth  League. 

By-Laws. 
The  by-laws,  which  relate  to  the  minor  details  of  the 
Chapter's  business,  may  be  changed  by  the  local  Chapter 
at  its  pleasure,  with  the  single  condition  that  all  changes 
shall  be  in  harmony  with  the  Epworth  League  Constitution. 
A  set  of  by-laws,  given  below,  is  offered  by  way  of  sug- 
gestion : 

Article  1.  The  Chapter  shall  hold  a  devotional  meet- 
ing weekly  on evening,  to  be  led  by  the  mem- 
bers, under  the  direction  of  the  Department  of  Spiritual 
Work. 

Article  2.    The  Chapter  shall  hold  a  business  meeting 

on  the   evening  of  each  month.      (Insert  in 

the  blank,  "First  Monday,"  "Second  Monday,"  or  whatever 
evening  may  be  chosen.) 

3  33 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Article  3.  The  following  shall  be  the  order  of  exer- 
cises at  the  business  meeting:  (a)  Devotional  service,  to 
consist  of  singing,  the  reading  of  Scripture,  and  prayer  by 
a  member,  or  the  Lord's  Prayer  by  all  in  concert,  (b) 
Minutes  of  last  meeting,  and  their  approval,  (c)  Reports 
from  the  departments  of  work,  (d)  Reports  from  special 
committees.  (e)  Unfinished  business.  (f)  Propositions 
for  membership,      (g)    New  business,      (h)    Adjournment. 

Article  4.    At  any  business  meeting members 

shall  constitute  a  quorum   for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Article    5.    The    annual    meeting    for   the    election   of 

officers  shall  be  held  on  the    evening  in  the 

month  of  May. 

Article  6.  At  the  annual  meeting  each  officer  shall 
present  a  written  report  of  the  work  in  the  department 
under  his  charge  during  the  year. 

Article  7-  After  the  election  of  officers,  the  Secretary 
of  the  meeting  at  which  the  election  was  held  shall  report 
in  writing  to  the  Official  Board  or  Quarterly  Conference 
of  the  Church  the  name  of  the  President-elect  for  its  ap- 
proval. The  President  shall  attend  as  a  member  each  ses- 
sion of  the  Quarterby  Conference. 

Article  8.  This  Chapter  will  take  an  annual  collection 
during  the  month  of  May  and  transmit  it  to  the  Assistant 
Treasurer  of  the  Epworth  League,  1020  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago,  Illinois. 

Article  9.  Amendments  to  these  by-laws  must  be  sub- 
mitted in  writing  to  the  Cabinet,  and  when  recommended  by 
the  Cabinet,  may  be  adopted  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  those 
present  at  any  regular  meeting. 

Article  10.  Any  of  these  by-laws,  except  Article  5, 
may  be  suspended  at  any  meeting,  for  that  meeting  only, 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  those  who  are  present. 

Article  11.  The  following  is  the  form  for  the  report 
of  the  local  Chapter  to  the  Quarterly  Conference: 

Report  of  Epworth  League,  Chapter , 

Church,    Charge,    District,    

Conference.     For Quarter. 

34 


THE  ORGANIC  LAW. 

No.    Active    Members .  .    —  Increase  or  Decrease .  .  .  — 

No.  Associate  Members,  —      No.  Meetings  held — 

No.  Honorary  Members,  —  Religious    — 

Total —  Social  or  Literary ....  — 

No.  last  report —  Business — 

The  Chapter  has  elected as  President, 

to  serve  for  the  period  of ,  subject  to  your  approval. 

Other  Details  of  Organization. 

Pledge. — The  Epworth  League  has  a  pledge,  the  adop- 
tion of  which  is  optional  with  the  Chapters.  That  is,  each 
Chapter  may  decide  for  itself  whether  the  pledge  shall  be 
made  a  condition  of  membership.  No  Chapter  has  any 
authority  to  change  the  pledge  in  any  way.  The  pledge 
reads  as  follows: 

/  will  earnestly  seek  for  myself,  and  do  all  that  I  can 
to  help  others  attain,  the  highest  New  Testament  standard 
of  experience  and  life. 

I  tvill  refrain  from  taking  such  diversions  as  can  not 
be  used  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

I  will,  so  far  as  possible,  attend  the  devotional  meetings 
of  the  Chapter  and  the  worship  of  the  Church,  and  will  take 
some  active  part  in  them. 

The  adoption  of  the  pledge  automatically  determines 
that  the  Chapters  adopting  it  shall  have  two  classes  of  mem- 
bership, active  and  associate.  The  active  members  are  those 
who  have  taken  the  pledge.  It  is  expected  that  where  the 
pledge  is  adopted  all  members  of  the  Chapter  who  are  also 
members  of  the  Church  shall  take  it.  Associate  membership 
is  not  provided,  except  as  a  stepping-stone  to  active  mem- 
bership, and  allt  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  are  practically  pledged  to  do  all  that  the  formal 
pledge  of  the  Epworth  League  requires. 

Colors. — The  Epworth  League  colors  are  red  and  white. 
The  most  usual  form  is  a  white  ribbon  with  a  scarlet  thread 
running  through  its  center. 

Badge. — The  badge  of  the  Epworth  League  is  a  Maltese 
cross.  In  the  center  is  a  smaller  cross.  This  cross  is 
encircled  by  a  series  of  small  circles,  each  one  of  which 

35 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

bears  a  letter  of  the  motto,  "Look  up,  lift  up."  On  the 
arms  of  the  cross  are  the  initials  of  the  Epworth  League. 
These  badges  are  made  in  a  variety  of  sizes  and  materials. 

Watchwords. — Two  significant  sentences  have  been  in- 
corporated into  the  activities  of  the  Epworth  League  from 
the  beginning.     The  first  is  from  John  Wesley: 

"I  desire  to  form  a  League  offensive  and  defensive 
with  every  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ." 

The  second  is  a  declaration  made  by  Bishop  Matthew 
Simpson : 

"We  live  to  make  our  own  Church  a  power  in  fin- 
land,  while  we  live  to  love  every  other  Church  that 
exalts  our  Christ." 
Elections. — For    the    sake    of    uniformity,    the    Central 
Office  of  the  Epworth  League  suggests  that  all  Chapters 
hold  their  election  in  April  or  early  in  May,  so  that  the 
new  officers  may  be  installed  on  Anniversary  Day,  which 
is  the  Sunday  nearest  the  fifteenth  of  May. 

General  Officers. 

For  the  four  years  ending  with  June,  1916,  the  general 
officers  of  the  Epworth  League  are  as  follows: 

President — Bishop   Frank  M.   Bristol,   D.   D.,   Omaha, 

Nebr. 
General   Secretary — Rev.  Wilbur  F.   Sheridan,   D.   D., 

Chicago,   111. 
Editor  of  The  Epworth  Herald — Rev.  Dan.  B.  Brum- 

mitt,  D.   D.,  Chicago,  111. 
German  Assistant  Secretary — Rev.  A.  J.  Bucher,  D.  D., 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
Assistant  Secretary  for  Colored  Conferences — Rev.  W. 

W.  Lucas,  D.   D.,  Meridian,  Miss. 
The  Board  of  Control  for  the  same  quadrennium  is  com- 
posed of  the   following  ministers   and   laymen: 

First    General    Conference    District — Rev.    Horace    B. 

Haskell,  Bangor,  Me. 
Second  General  Conference  District — Clarence  A.  Titus, 

Westfield,  N.  Y. 


THE  ORGANIC   LAW. 

Third  General  Conference   District — Rev.   Wallace    E. 

Brown,  Geneva,  N.  Y. 
Fourth  General  Conference  District — Joseph  W.  Coley, 

Claymont,  Del. 
Fifth  General  Conference  District — Rev.  H.  S.  Powell, 

Ashtabula,   Ohio. 
Sixth  General  Conference  District — E.  J.  Sawyer,  Ben- 

nettsville,  S.  C. 
Seventh    General    Conference    District — Rev.    Kay    W. 

McMillan,  Paris,  Tex. 
Eighth  General  Conference  District — Homer  Hall,  St. 

Louis,  Mo. 
Ninth  General  Conference  District — Rev.  J.  L.  Gillies, 

Sioux   City,   Iowa. 
Tenth  General  Conference  District — John  M.  Mitchell, 

Mt.  Carmel,  111. 
Eleventh   General   Conference   District — Rev.    Wallace 

W.   Martin,  Muncie,   Ind. 
Twelfth   General   Conference    District — A.    P.    Nelson, 

Grantsburg,  Wis. 
Thirteenth    General    Conference    District — Rev.    C.    F. 

Blume,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
Fourteenth    General    Conference    District — Thomas    P. 

Barber,  Colorado  Springs,  Colo. 
Fifteenth  General  Conference  District — Rev.  J.  A.  Mar- 
tin, Great  Falls,  Mont. 
At   Large — 

Carl  F.  Price,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

E.  H.  Forkel,  Chicago,  111. 

Rev.  Chesteen  W.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
The  General  Secretary,  the  Assistant  Secretaries,  and 
the  Editor  of  The  Epworth  Herald  are  advisory  members 
of  the  Board  of  Control. 


37 


CHAPTER  III. 

HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  CHAPTER. 

The  Preliminaries. 
The  organization  of  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  is  not 
now  as  common  an  event  as  in  the  first  years  of  the  League's 
existence.  Chapters  have  been  organized  in  the  great 
majority  of  our  Churches.  But  there  is  need  in  many  places 
for  a  reorganization. 

And  here  and  there  are  a  few  Churches  which  have  not 
yet  organized  their  young  people.  There  is,  in  most  places, 
no  good  reason  for  delaying  longer.  The  League  is  by  now 
a  fairly  permanent  institution.  Its  value  has  been  abun- 
dantly demonstrated.     It  works. 

The  method  of  organization  is  simple  enough.  The 
smallest  and  weakest  charge  on  the  remotest  circuit,  as 
well  as  the  resourceful  and  more  numerous  membership  of 
the  great  city  Church,  can  start  a  Chapter  and  keep  it  go- 
ing. 

Usually  the  pastor  will  take  the  first  step.  The  need 
of  it  may  occur  to  him  before  it  occurs  to  any  one  else. 
Perhaps  he  will  be  confident  that  an  organization  can  be 
effected  when  other  people  will  be  less  sanguine. 

But  if  the  pastor  does  not  take  the  initiative,  and  the 
conviction  has  come  to  a  group  of  young  people  that  it  is 
time  to  organize,  or  reorganize,  an  Epworth  League  Chap- 
ter, the  pastor  should  by  all  means  be  consulted  before 
definite  or  organized  action  is  taken. 

Then  get  information.  Take  no  leaps  in  the  dark. 
The  Central  Office  of  the  Epworth  League  exists  to  serve 
as  a  clearing-house  of  Epworth  League  information.  All 
its  resources  are  at  the  service  of  those  who  need  them. 

Send  to  that  office  for  the  necessary  literature.  Most 
of  it  is  free,  although  there  is  some  for  which  a  small  fee 
must  be  charged.     It  is  abundantly  worth  it. 

38 


HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  CHAPTER. 

The  pastor  should  by  all  means  be  enlisted  in  the  new 
movement.  He  will  "talk  it  up/'  both  in  the  pulpit  and  out 
of  it.  He  is  to  be  recognized  officially  and  personally  as 
the  leader  of  the  work.  He  will  be  from  the  outset  the 
Chapter's  cordial  and  resourceful  friend. 

Appoint  an  evening  for  considering  "to  organize  or  not 
to  organize,"  when  the  business  in  hand  will  be  certain 
to  have  complete  right  of  way.  Advertise  widely  and  per- 
sistently. Make  a  personal  canvass  of  the  young  people 
who  should  be  present.  Provide  some  simple  social  fea- 
ture, which  will  help  to  dissipate  any  feeling  of  strangeness 
and  put  everybody  on  an  equality. 

Before  the  day  of  the  meeting  those  who  are  most  in- 
terested in  it  must  take  themselves  to  prayer.  The  Epworth 
League  is  committed  to  implicit  faith  in  prayer.  If  a  new 
Chapter  can  not  be  begun  in  the  prayerful  spirit,  and  with 
definite  dependence  on  God,  better  not  begin  it  at  all. 

At  this  preliminary  meeting,  after  the  devotional  exer- 
cises, some  one  will  explain  the  purpose  of  the  gathering. 
Often  one  of  the  officers  of  the  District  League  will  be 
glad  to  come  and  talk  of  the  spirit,  purpose,  and  plan  of 
the  organization.  By  the  time  this  speech  is  over  the  ques- 
tion will  be,  "Shall  we  organize  a  Chapter  of  the  Epworth 
League?"  It  is  presumed,  of  course,  that  all  will  answer 
"Yes."  But  do  not  limit  discussion.  Hold  it  to  the  ques- 
tion, but  let  everybody  be  free  to  say  his  say. 

With  the  other  literature  received  from  the  Central 
Office  will  be  a  copy  of  the  Epworth  League  Constitution. 
This  should  be  pasted  on  a  large  sheet  of  paper,  and  after 
the  vote  to  organize  has  been  taken,  all  who  will  may  sign 
the  document.  Distribute  additional  copies  of  the  Consti- 
tution so  that  those  who  have  joined  may  study  the  details 
of  the  organization  at  their  leisure. 

The  question  of  by-laws  should  be  left  to  a  committee, 
instructed  to  report  at  the  next  meeting,  presenting  such 
a  set  of  by-laws  as  are  given  on  page  33.  Another  com- 
mittee should  be  appointed  to  make  nominations  for  the 
Chapter's  first  officers.  Then  the  meeting  may  be  adjourned 
for  a  week. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting  let  the  reports  of  the  Com- 
39 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

mittee  on  By-Laws  and  on  Nominations  be  heard,  discussed, 
and  adopted.  Then  the  Chapter  is  ready  for  definite  and 
aggressive   work. 

Membership. 

There  is  no  legal  age  limit  in  the  Epworth  League.  The 
Constitution  says  that  "as  far  as  practicable  the  member- 
ship shall  be  confined  to  persons  between  the  ages  of  six- 
teen and  thirty-five."  Under  ordinary  circumstances,  there- 
fore, when  a  Junior  League  exists,  the  Epworth  League 
will  not  receive  members  who  are  under  sixteen  years  of 
age. 

The  maximum  age  limit  should  be  considered  in  the  light 
of  two  facts.  First,  that  the  Epworth  League  is  a  young 
people's  society ;  second,  that  youth  is  usually,  but  not 
always,  a  question  of  years. 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  Chapter  the  question  of 
the  pledge  should  be  considered.  Should  it  be  adopted  or 
not?  Here  is  a  short  and  simple  answer  to  that  question. 
Adopt  the  pledge  wherever  it  is  possible.  But  it  can  not 
be  made  an  essential  everywhere.  Some  Chapters  for  a 
time  may  be  better  without  it.  If  the  pledge  is  adopted, 
do  not  make  it  easy  for  professing  Christians  to  become 
associate  members.  Associate  membership  was  not  pro- 
vided for  actual  Christians.  It  can  have  no  meaning  for 
them. 

Keep  the  associate  membership  list  constantly  chang- 
ing by  the  taking  in  of  new  associates,  and  by  steady  pro- 
motions. That  is  to  say,  win  over  associate  members  to 
Christ  and  His  Church,  and  so  make  active  members  out 
of  them. 

The  Nominating  Committee. 
The  Nominating  Committee,  which  was  chosen  at  the 
preliminary  meeting,  should  invite  the  pastor  to  meet  with 
it.  Let  the  Chapter  members  trust  the  committee  to  select 
the  best  available  material  to  fill  the  offices.  Random  nomi- 
nations for  officers  in  open  meeting  are  seldom  wise.  And 
it  is  almost  never  wise  to  have  two  tickets  in  the  field  at  an 
election.  The  committee  will  do  its  best  work  if  it  is  free 
to  choose  those  members  who,  in  its  opinion,  will  make  the 

40 


HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  CHAPTER. 

best  available  officers.  Then,  unless  there  are  very  weighty 
reasons  against  it,  accept  the  committee's  report  at  its  face 
value  and  elect  the  nominees. 

The  Nominating  Committee  should,  of  course,  take 
plenty  of  time.  Perfect  frankness  should  be  the  rule. 
Consider  all  the  possible  material  for  officers.  Discuss 
the  whole  subject  with  freedom,  and  yet  with  Christian 
courtesy.  Weigh  well  the  qualifications  and  needs  of  every 
suggested  nominee.  The  committee  is  in  charge  of  a  con- 
fidential business.  It  is  taken  for  granted  that  whatever  is 
said  about  individuals  in  the  committee  meetings  is  not  to 
be  repeated  outside,  any  more  than  the  things  that  transpire 
in  a  Bishop's  Cabinet  at  an  Annual  Conference  are  to  be 
retailed  outside  of  the  Cabinet  room. 

Official  Recognition. 

At  the  first  Quarterly  Conference  after  the  election  of 
officers,  the  name  of  the  President  should  be  submitted  to 
the  Quarterly  Conference  for  its  approval  and  for  election 
to  membership  in  that  body.  That  makes  him  the  official 
link  between  the  League  and  the  Church. 

The  names  of  all  the  officers  should  be  sent  as  soon  as 
possible  after  the  election  to  the  Central  Office  of  the 
Epworth  League,  Chicago,  and  a  charter  secured  from 
the  same  office.  The  charters  are  of  three  kinds:  a  card 
charter,  which  is  free ;  a  large  charter  in  blue  and  gold, 
which  is  furnished  for  25  cents;  and  a  still  larger  and  more 
elaborate  document,  beautifully  engraved  and  engrossed, 
the  price  of  which  is  $1.  This  last  charter  is  in  all  respects 
the  best.  Wherever  possible,  it  is  the  one  which  should  be 
secured.  Then  frame  it  and  hang  it  in  a  conspicuous  place 
in  the  League  room. 

The  Unveiling  of  the  Charter. 
After  a  Chapter  has  been  organized  and  recognized  by 
the  Central  Office,  at  the  first  public  meeting  of  the  Chapter 
make   a   place   on   the   program    for   the   unveiling   of   the 
charter. 

The  charter  is  the  certificate  of  a  great  fellowship. 
The  young  people  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  are 

-il 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

banded  for  the  winning  of  the  young  people  to  Jesus  Christ, 
and  training  them  for  service.  The  new  Chapter  has  come 
into  that  union  of  effort  to  be  a  part  of  it  and  to  make 
its  work  more  effective.  The  charter  is  the  visible  sign 
of  that,  and  of  much  more.  It  grants  rights  and  privi- 
leges, stands  for  certain  truths  and  beliefs,  and  certifies  to 
enrollment  and  recognition. 

Let  the  charter  be  decorated  with  the  Epworth  League 
colors,  so  arranged  that  they  will  conceal  it  until  the  moment 
of  unveiling.  The  pastor,  or  some  other  speaker,  should 
make  an  inspiring  and  convincing  address.  Then,  at  the 
proper  moment,  a  slight  pull  at  the  cords  which  hold  the 
drajDeries  will  draw  them  back  and  reveal  the  charter. 

Organizing  the  Departments. 

The  plan  of  the  Epworth  League  is  now  nearly  ideal. 
It  is  intended  to  provide  for  every  form  of  social,  moral, 
and  religious  activity  among  the  young  people  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 

In  the  first  department  the  spiritual  life  is  cultivated. 
Emphasis  is  placed  upon  private  and  public  prayer,  on 
witness-bearing,  on  the  study  of  the  Bible  for  personal  spir- 
itual growth,  on  the  study  of  Christian  experience  and 
personal  evangelism,  and  on  the  actual  evangelization  of  the 
young  people  of  the  community. 

In  the  second  department  there  is  opportunity  to  take 
up  and  study  the  work  of  the  Kingdom  of  God  in  its  greater 
aspects,  looking  out  upon  the  world-wide  field  and  facing 
the  varied  avenues  through  which  the  progress  of  the  King- 
dom of  God  is  to  be  secured. 

In  the  third  department  the  emphasis  is  upon  service 
and  sacrifice,  the  union  of  those  who  love  in  behalf  of  those 
who  suffer.  This  work  is  remedial  and  also  preventive. 
It  believes  in  lighthouses  as  well  as  lifeboats. 

In  the  fourth  department  the  intellectual  and  social 
natures  are  provided  for.  Means  of  proper  and  satisfying 
recreation  are  discovered  and  used. 

All  these  phases  of  Epworth  League  work  are  essential 
to  a  well-rounded  Christian  character.     And,  in  some  form 

42 


HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  CHAPTER. 

or  other,  the  work  of  every  department  can  be  carried  on, 
wherever  it  is  possible  to  organize  a  Chapter  at  all. 

The  plan  of  the  Ep worth  League  provides  for  every 
member.  "To  every  man  his  work."  There  can  be  a 
definite  place  for  every  individual,  with  duties  easily  under- 
stood, and  with  real  service  and  personal  growth  involved 


a.    ja 
Q     < 


s   >g   -3 


<V         V       •-> 


I.    DEPARTMENT  OF  SPIRITUAL  WORK 
First  Vice-President 

1.     Spiritual  Welfare  of  Members 

Study  and  Practice  of  Personal 

Evangelism 
3.     Weekly  Devotional 
Meetings' 
4.     Bible  Study 


3  a 


'     eg 

»«& 

^  =.  a-  n  J-    a 

5rg      S-g       3 


ni.    DEPARTMENT  OF 
SOCIAL  SERVICE 
Third  Vice-President 
1.     Mercy  and  Help 
2.     Studies  of  Social  Service 
3.     Good  Citizenship 
4.     Temperance  Reform  and  Social  Purity 


3 


a  9  i  s 

o  —  2  jo 

S-  »  &  5 

i  —  2    w 


in  every  duty.  The  League  works  on  the  theory  that  we 
are  all  members  one  of  another.  What  one  does  for  another 
in  the  first  department,  for  example,  may  be  returned  to 
him  in  service  of  equal  value  by  the  fourth  department. 

Organize   all  the   departments.      In   some   places   local 
conditions  will  put  stronger  emphasis  on  one  or  the  other 

43 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  the  four,  or  on  one  phase  or  another  of  the  different 
departments,  but  no  Chapter  can  do  its  full  work  without 
attempting  at  least  something  in  each  department. 

The  Constitution  provides  for  departmental  committees 
of  three  to  five,  appointed  by  the  several  Vice-Presidents. 
But  the  whole  membership  should  be  assigned  to  the  various 
departments  as  personal  fitness  and  the  needs  of  the  work 
may  suggest.  It  will  be  well  if  each  department  can  have 
a  large  committee,  so  that  the  various  subdivisions  of  de- 
partment work  may  each  be  provided  with  workers. 

Let  the  department  committees  be  subdivided  according 
to  the  scheme  of  the  Epworth  Cross.  That  will  give  four 
sub-committees  to  each  department,  as  follows:  First  De- 
partment— spiritual  welfare  of  the  members,  study  and 
practice  of  personal  evangelism,  weekly  devotional  meet- 
ing, Bible  study.  Second  Department — study  of  missions 
and  other  benevolences,  monthly  missionary  meetings,  study 
of  Christian  stewardship,  definite  missionary  work.  Third 
Department — Mercy  and  help,  studies  in  social  service, 
good  citizenship,  temperance  reform,  and  social  purity. 
Fourth  Department — athletics,  social  entertainments  and 
music,  new  members  and  The  Epworth  Herald  circulation, 
literary  meetings. 

The  Assigning  of  Members  to  Their  Work. 

This  belongs  to  the  Cabinet.  The  entire  list  of  mem- 
bers should  be  gone  over  and  each  member  assigned  to  one 
of  the  departments.  The  arrangement  of  sub-committees 
may  be  left  to  the  Vice-President  in  charge  of  each  depart- 
ment. It  is  not  best  to  make  an  entire  change  of  assign- 
ments every  year.  Plan  to  keep  members  on  for  two  years, 
changing  half  of  each  committee  each  year.  Then  a  good 
working  minoritj^,  at  least,  of  members  who  have  had  some 
experience  in  a  department  will  be  retained  as  a  nucleus 
around  which  to  gather  the  department  forces. 

When  persons  are  elected  to  membership  in  the  Chapter 
they  should  be  assigned  at  once  to  department  work.  Even 
a  brief  delay  at  the  beginning  of  membership  may  make  it 
difficult  later  to  secure  the  member's  active   co-operation. 

44 


HOW  TO  ORGANIZE  A  CHAPTER. 

Meetings. 

Much  of  the  work  of  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  is 
done  by  and  in  meetings.  There  is  room  for  a  large  variety 
of  gatherings,  and  each  of  them  may  be  made  indispensable 
in  the  work  of  the  Chapter. 

The  central  assembly,  of  course,  is  the  weekly  devo- 
tional meeting.  It  should  be  held  every  week,  without  in- 
terruption, except  when  circumstances  absolutely  prevent 
its  assembling.  That  means  a  meeting  every  week  when 
the  church  doors  can  be  open  for  anything  at  all. 

This  meeting  is  the  heart  of  the  League.  It  is  the  place 
of  power.  It  is  the  general  gathering  place.  More  mem- 
bers are  present  than  at  any  other  time.  But  there  is  not 
room  here  to  do  more  than  hint  at  the  possibilities  of  this 
devotional  meeting.  For  a  complete  discussion  of  its  work 
and  methods,  see  Chapter  IV. 

The  business  meeting  is  of  large  importance.  Shall  it 
be  held  monthly,  semi-monthly,  or  bi-monthly  ?  All  things 
considered,  most  Chapters  will  find  the  once-a-month  busi- 
ness meeting  the  most  satisfactory,  especially  if  some  social 
feature  is  combined  with  it.  Por  a  fuller  discussion  of  the 
business  meeting,  see  Chapter  IV. 

There  will  be  frequent  department  meetings.  These, 
being  small  as  to  attendance,  will  do  a  large  amount  of 
distinctly  constructive  work.  They  should  be  in  charge  of 
the  various  Vice-Presidents.  All  departments  should  hold 
meetings  often  enough  so  that  the  department  committees 
will  have  an  understanding  of  their  work  and  a  sense  of  the 
responsibility  which  belongs  to  it. 

Some  departmental  committee  meetings  must  be  held 
at  certain  periods,  because  of  the  needs  of  the  work.  The 
first  department's  committee  on  devotional  meetings  will 
meet  twice  a  year,  to  assign  leaders  for  the  weekly  meetings. 
This  is  important  work,  and  ought  not  to  be  left  to  the 
judgment  or  inclination  of  a  single  individual.  This  same 
committee  may  arrange  to  hold  a  preliminary  prayer-meet- 
ing just  before  the  weekly  devotional  meeting,  inviting  the 
more  earnest  members  to  unite  in  a  few  minutes  of  prayer 
for  the  success  of  the  larger  gathering.  This  is  done  in 
many  places  with  great  benefit. 

45 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  study  class  committees  in  the  Bible,  in  missions, 
in  social  service,  and  in  other  subjects,  will  each  hold  an 
important  meeting  well  in  advance  of  the  respective  rally 
days.  They  will  plan  for  class  work  and  prepare  for  the 
proper  observation  of  these  study  rally  days.  After  the 
classes  are  organized,  the  class  activities  will  furnish  a  good 
opportunity  for  occasional  meetings  of  the  several  com- 
mittees. Their  members  may  join  in  the  work  of  the  class, 
and  tarry  awhile  at  the  close  to  discuss  the  situation  and 
to  consider  means  of  enlarging  and  improving  the  work 
committed  to  them. 

These  smaller  meetings  may  seem  to  be  spending  a 
good  deal  of  time  over  trifles.  But  they  are  not  trifles  at 
all.  In  these  smaller  gatherings  one  single  interest  domi- 
nates. There  is  unity  of  purpose,  direct  location  of  re- 
sponsibility, opportunity  for  the  survey  of  the  field  work, 
and  time  to  consider.  The  smaller  number  makes  for  in- 
formality and  freedom,  and  there  can  be  entire  frankness 
and  fullness  of  discussion. 


46 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

The  Officers. 

The  President. — The  President  of  an  Epworth  League 
Chapter  needs  four  things:  spirituality,  sense,  tact,  and  grit. 

The  first  goes  without  saying.  The  President  of  an 
organization  with  such  high  spiritual  purposes  as  those  of 
an  Epworth  League  Chapter  would  be  utterly  helpless  and 
lost  if  he  were  not  a  spiritually-minded  Christian.  He 
certainly  would  be  finding  requirements  and  problems  en- 
tirely beyond  his  power  to  meet.  Much  of  his  work  would 
be  entirely  meaningless  to  a  mere  nominal  Christian,  and 
the  responsibility  which  belongs  to  the  President  would 
be  a  load  upon  him  so  great  that  he  would  either  resign  at 
once,  as  he  should,  or  keep  up  the  hopeless  attempt  to 
be  what  he  has  not  yet  become. 

The  word  "sense"  is  so  large  and  inclusive  that  if  all 
it  involves  can  be  found  in  one  Chapter  President,  that 
Chapter  will  possess  a  jewel.  It  means  that  he  must  under- 
stand folks  and  understand  his  work.  He  will  need  to  be 
able  to  see  the  difference  between  visionary  schemes  and 
plans   for  real  work. 

And  "tact" — who  shall  define  that  word?  But  the  idea 
for  which  it  stands  is  perfectly  understood.  The  Epworth 
League  President  is  dealing  with  many  people,  possessing 
many  peculiarities.  He  must  be,  in  Paul's  sense  and  with 
Paul's  motive,  all  things  to  all  men.  He  must  know  how 
to  reduce  friction,  to  smooth  over  the  difficulties  which  occur 
in  all  associated  effort.  Without  offensive  self-assertion 
he  must  make  himself  a  necessary  friend  of  the  pastor  and 
of  the  Sunday  school  superintendent,  and  especially  of  the 
Cabinet  and  membership  of  the  Chapter.  He  must  be  firm 
and  yet  gentle,  vigorous  and  yet  tender,  exacting  and  yet 

47 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

considerate,  businesslike  and  yet  forbearing;  lioping  all 
things,  believing  all  things,  enduring  all  things. 

"Grit"  is  a  modern  Americanism  for  an  energetic  cour- 
age that  will  not  be  denied.  There  are  many  opportunities 
in  religious  work  for  discouragement  and  for  letting  things 
alone.  These  opportunities  are  temptations,  and  the  Presi- 
dent who  yields  has  not  only  missed  his  mark  as  President, 
but  he  has  wasted  the  powers  and  possibilities  of  the  entire 
membership.  Grit  does  not  welcome  obstacles,  but  it  does 
not  give  in  to  them.  It  makes  a  positive  program  and  sticks 
to  it,  determined  that  whatever  is  humanly  possible  shall 
be  done. 

The  President  of  the  Epworth  League  should  be  en- 
tirely satisfactory  to  the  pastor.  These  two  must  work 
together  so  closely  that  it  would  be  unwise  to  select  a 
President  with  whom  the  pastor  could  not  hold  the  most 
cordial   and    intimate    friendship. 

I    KNOW    A     LEAGUE     PRESIDENT. 

He  's  a  true  Methodist. 

He  reads  The  Herald  every  week. 

He  never  forgets  the  real  business  of  the  League. 

He  knows   a   few  things   about   parliamentary   law. 

He  helps  the  Sunday  school  superintendent  in  many 
ways. 

He  knows  how  to  step  in  and  take  anybody's  place  in 
an  emergency. 

He  is  a  systematic  and  sympathetic  friend  of  the  Junior 
League  Superintendent. 

He  does  most  of  his  work,  and  his  most  effective  work, 
away  from  the  public  eye. 

He  's  good  at  getting  other  people  to  work,  preferring 
that  to  doing  the  work  himself. 

He  attends  all  the  department  meetings  so  far  as  he 
can,  but  he  does  not  dominate  them. 

He  is  in  the  confidence  of  each  department  officer,  know- 
ing the  problems,  difficulties,  and  resources  of  them  all. 

He  does  n't  let  things  die  on  his  hands.  When  any 
work  ought  to  be  discontinued,  he  insists  on  its  being  done 
decisively. 

48 


OVERSEEING   THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

He  has  a  good  temper,  large  patience,  a  sunny  outlook 
on  life,  a  perfect  faith  in  the  Epworth  League,  and  a  deep 
and  vital  Christian  experience. 

He  has  no  ambition  to  break  any  records  for  continuity 
of  presidential  service,  and  is  always  on  the  lookout  for 
possible  successors  who  can  be  trained  for  the  work. 

He  has  a  program  for  his  administration,  and  has  it 
planned  so  that  the  things  the  Cabinet  will  attempt  can 
all  be  done  by  concerted  and  intelligent  effort. 

He  carries  an  Epworth  League  notebook  with  pages 
for  plans,  dates  of  coming  events,  outlines  of  workable 
methods,  hints,  suggestions,  class  lists,  book  lists,  and  mis- 
cellaneous.     "Miscellaneous"   takes   most  of  the   room. 

Isn't  he  worth  knowing? 

First  Vice-President. — The  First  Vice-President  is  in- 
trusted with  a  place  of  superlative  responsibility.  Four 
great  tasks  are  committed  to  him:  the  direction  of  the 
weekly  devotional  meeting,  the  organization  of  the  Chapter 
for  Bible  study,  and  the  provision  of  systematic  study  in 
Christian  experience  and  the  promotion  of  personal  evan- 
gelism. He  must  be  both  spiritual  and  intelligent.  He 
must  believe  in  the  spiritual  value  of  the  devotional  meeting. 
He  must  expect  it  to  produce  both  direct  and  deferred 
results.  He  should  make  it  largely  evangelistic  and  wisely 
constructive  to  win  the  unconverted,  and  to  help  the  young 
converts  in  the  early  days  of  their  Christian  life. 

This  officer  ought  not  to  be  afraid  of  the  sound  of  his 
own  voice  in  public.  If  he  has  been  so  hitherto,  he  must  get 
over  it  by  speaking,  though  not  at  length,  whenever  he  finds 
opportunity.  He  must  be  a  lover  of  his  Bible,  and  if  the 
holding  of  this  office  drives  him  to  a  closer,  more  continuous, 
and  more  devotional  study  of  the  Book,  his  term  will  be 
as  great  a  blessing  to  him  as  it  will  be  to  the  Chapter. 

The  First  Vice-President  should  hold  himself  ready,  on 
short  notice,  to  lead  any  devotional  meeting  in  case  the 
leader  assigned  fails  to  do  his  part. 

In  planning  the  work  of  Bible  study,  the  First  Vice- 
President  will  need  a  large  stock  of  tact  and  persuasive- 
ness and  intelligence.  People  must  be  convinced  of  the 
4  19 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

value  of  Bible  study.  They  have  a  sentimental  belief  in  it, 
but  actually  they  ignore  it. 

The  First  Vice-President  is  called  to  leadership  in  spir- 
itual things.  He  needs  to  be  an  inspiring  Christian  in  his 
ideals  and  conduct,  attracting  the  members  to  the  highest 
standard  of  personal  life,  not  only  by  his  example,  but  by 
simple  and  loving  speech.  He  is  in  a  peculiar  sense  the 
successor  and  heir  of  the  old-time  class  leader,  who  dealt 
with  his  members  directly  concerning  their  progress  in 
grace.  He  will  organize  and  supervise,  wherever  it  is  pos- 
sible, classes  for  the  study  of  Christian  experience,  as  more 
fully  set  forth  in  another  chapter. 

And  the  work  of  personal  evangelism,  now  happily  bulk- 
ing so  large  in  the  activities  of  Epworthians,  is  largely 
dependent  on  the  zeal  and  discretion  of  the  First  Vice- 
President.  He  it  is  who  must  direct  the  efforts  of  the 
Chapter's  growing  group  of  personal  workers.  To  do  all 
this  he  must  have  the  spirit  of  an  evangelist,  eagerly  en- 
thusiastic in  the  work  of  leading  young  people  to  Jesus 
Christ. 

Second  Vice-President. — The  Second  Vice-President  is 
in  charge  of  "World  Evangelism,"  that  department  of  Ep- 
worth  League  work  which  was  created  in  May,  1903. 
World  evangelism  is  a  cardinal  principle  in  the  League,  but 
not  every  member  is  as  yet  ready  for  all  that  it  means.  So 
the  Second  Vice-President  must  be  a  sort  of  pioneer.  He 
must  believe  in  missions,  home  and  foreign ;  in  every  form 
of  gospel  spreading;  in  stewardship  as  the  rule  of  life  for 
Christians;  in  intelligence  about  all  the  Church's  great 
enterprises,  and  he  must  see  that  the  Chapter's  members 
get  every  chance  to  believe  in  these  things  also. 

Third  Vice-President. — It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 
the  old  Department  of  Mercy  and  Help  did  more  than  any 
other  one  thing  to  develop  the  spirit  of  Christian  kindli- 
ness and  practical  benevolences  which  to-day  exists  in  so 
large  measure  among  the  young  people  of  the  Church. 

The  work  of  this  department,  under  its  new  name  and 
with  its  larger  functions,  is  popular,  and  the  people  are  glad 
to  support  it.  But  it  is  toilsome  work,  and  the  Third  Vice- 
President  will  need  large  devotion  and  constant  consecra- 

50 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTERS  WORK. 

tion.  He  should  be  a  sympathetic  lover  of  men  and  women 
and  of  children.  The  work  of  systematic  visitation,  when 
wisely  done,  may  be  of  the  very  highest  value  to  the  Church. 
Care  for  the  poor  and  sick  is  a  fruitful  and  yet  laborious 
task.  The  great  and  widening  field  of  social  service,  with 
its  need  for  careful  study,  as  well  as  strong  conviction, 
includes  an  endless  variety  of  interests  and  opportunities 
for  successful  activity. 

Of  course,  the  Third  Vice-President  will  be  inspired  by 
the  knowledge  that  everything  done  in  this  department  is 
meant  to  bring  people  into  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  to  dis- 
cover some  citizens  of  the  Kingdom  who  had  been  counted 
as  on  the  outside.  All  the  ministries  of  comfort  and  love 
and  service  which  spring  up  in  this  department  hare  their 
explanation  and  source  in  the  love  wherewith  Christ  hath 
loved  us,  and  to  forget  this  is  to  rob  the  work  of  most  of 
its  power.  Social  service  must  exalt,  not  the  department, 
nor  the  Chapter,  but  the  Christ,  and  carried  on  in  this  spirit 
may  be  made  a  marvelous  evangelizing  agency. 

Fourth  Vice-President. — The  legislation  of  June,  1913, 
simplified,  without  making  any  lighter,  the  work  of  the 
Fourth  Vice-President.  The  incumbent  of  this  office  re- 
quires now  more  than  ever  to  seek  both  culture  and  re- 
sourcefulness. Whatever  literary  work  the  Chapter  may  do 
will  be  done  under  the  direction  of  this  department,  and 
the  recreational  and  social  life  in  the  Church  and  Chapter 
will  very  largely  depend  upon  it. 

In  many  Chapters  a  most  important  work  of  this  de- 
partment will  be  the  securing  of  new  members.  That  de- 
mands a  thoroughly  human  interest  in  the  people  whom  it 
is  sought  to  reach.  They  must  be  sought  mainly  for  their 
own  sake.  To  seek  members  just  to  lengthen  the  Chapter 
roll  is  to  defeat  the  very  purposes  for  which  the  League 
is  organized.  The  Chapter  exists  for  its  members,,  not  the 
members  for  the  Chapter. 

Here  there  is  danger  that  we  shall  forget  the  need  of 
definite  religious  purpose.  The  Chapter  is  a  perfect  dy- 
namo of  life  and  power,  because  it  is  made  up  of  people 
whose  life-forces  are  at  their  highest  and  fullest  strength. 
But  the  joy  of  living,  to  which  this  department  par- 
ol 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

ticularly  ministers,  must  not  be  the  mere  exuberance  of 
youthful  spirits ;  it  can  be  made  a  mighty  means  of  winning 
the  young  and  light-hearted  to  a  Savior  who,  instead  of 
robbing  them  of  their  gladness,  will  give  it  a  new,  an  abid- 
ing, and  a  more  gracious  meaning. 

The  Cabinet. 

The  Cabinet  of  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  is  a  pe- 
culiarly distinctive  feature  of  the  organization.  It  is  the 
heart  of  the  Chapter.  It  is  more  than  an  Executive  Com- 
mittee, for  every  activity  of  the  Chapter,  in  every  depart- 
ment, is  represented  here. 

The  Cabinet  is  the  body  which  sifts,  discusses,  and  puts 
into  shape  for  consideration  all  the  varied  items  of  business 
which  later  will  require  action  by  the  entire  Chapter.  That 
makes  the  Cabinet  a  time-saving  organization.  It  unifies 
the  work  of  the  Chapter.  It  co-ordinates  the  operations  of 
the  various  departments,  strengthening  the  weak  places  by 
applying  to  them  the  overplus  of  strength  which  is  devel- 
oped elsewhere.  It  considers  them  in  a  business  meeting. 
It  is  not  hampered  by  any  rules  of  debate,  or  any  other 
restriction,  except  the  ordinary  rules  of  courteous  conver- 
sation. 

The  Cabinet  is  a  clearing-house  for  the  entire  Chapter. 
All  the  Chapter's  resources  are  centered  here.  The  officers 
can  see  the  defects  of  the  work  sooner  than  any  one  else, 
and  may  perhaps  repair  them  without  making  them  public 
at  all. 

The  Cabinet  may  be  of  exceeding  value  to  the  pastor. 
If  he  can  consider  this  central  body  as  his  general  staff, 
he  can  keep  his  fingers  on  the  keys  of  Epworth  League 
power.  The  members  of  the  Cabinet  will  know  what  is 
being  thought  and  said  and  done  among  the  younger  mem- 
bers of  his  Church  with  a  definiteness  which  few  of  the 
older  members  can  possess  concerning  each  other. 

Through  the  Cabinet  the  pastor  may  very  often  set  in 
motion  plans  and  purposes  which  are  urgently  needed,  but 
which  it  may  be  difficult  or  unwise  for  him  to  attempt 
directly. 

52 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

The  Cabinet  is  composed  of  all  the  Constitutional  officers 
of  the  Chapters,  including  the  Junior  Superintendent.  This 
does  not  include  such  officers  as  chorister,  organist,  auditor, 
etc.     The  pastor,  of  course,  is  ex-officio  a  member. 

The  Cabinet  must  plan  for  a  regular  and  fully-attended 
meeting,  preferably  once  a  month.  This  ought  to  be  in- 
sisted upon,  and  attendance  at  the  meeting  should  be  ex- 
pected of  each  officer  as  a  part  of  his  ordinary  duty.  Hold 
these  meetings,  if  possible,  at  a  fixed  place,  and  preferably 
in  the  home  of  one  of  the  members.  Let  the  Secretary's 
notification  be  regular  and  definite,  so  that  no  member  can 
possibly  have  any  excuse  for  forgetting  the  recurrence  of 
the  stated  session. 

The  Cabinet  meeting  is  not  a  particularly  formal  affair, 
and  its  business  may  be  transacted  without  undue  attention 
to  the  necessity  of  parliamentary  discussion.  There  will 
be  the  utmost  frankness  and  freedom  of  expression,  of 
course,  and  many  of  the  things  that  are  said  in  the  dis- 
cussion will  properly  be  considered  as  privileged  communi- 
cations, not  to  be  talked  about  outside  the  Cabinet  group. 

The  informality  of  the  Cabinet  meeting,  however,  should 
not  be  made  an  excuse  for  puttering  or  frittering  away  the 
time.  There  is  a  way  by  which  important  matters  may  be 
attended  to  promptly  without  sacrificing  the  freedom  of  a 
friendly,  face-to-face  consultation. 

The  great  business  of  the  Cabinet,  in  the  beginning  of 
its  work,  should  be  to  see  that  every  member  of  the  Chapter 
has  a  chance  and  a  place.  It  should  distribute  the  work 
well,  with  reference  not  only  to  the  needs  of  the  work,  but 
also  to  the  needs  of  the  individual  members.  It  will  seek 
to  develop  each  of  them  in  all  the  things  that  go  to  make 
up  a  well-rounded  Epworthian. 

This  assignment  of  the  members  to  departments  should 
be  made  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Cabinet  after  its  elec- 
tion. No  member  should  be  omitted  from  the  scheme  of 
assignment,  except  for  entirely  sufficient  reason.  Do  not 
consider  that  it  is  necessary  to  have  exactly  so  many  mem- 
bers in  each  department.  Be  flexible.  Some  departments 
will  need  more  members  than  others,  and  some  members 

53 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

ought  to  be  especially  interested  in  one  department  rather 
than  another. 

At  every  Cabinet  meeting  each  department  should  be 
represented.  If  the  chairman  can  not  be  present,  he  should 
send  some  member  of  his  committee  who  is  familiar  with  the 
department  work. 

It  will  be  well  to  hear  all  the  reports  from  the  depart- 
ments before  taking  up  the  recommendations  which  the 
various  members  will  make.  After  all  reports  have  been 
heard,  recommendations  can  be  considered,  not  only  on 
their  own  merits,  but  in  relation  to  each  other,  and  intelli- 
gent and  harmonious  action  can  be  taken. 

The  Secretary  will  keep  a  sufficient  record  of  the  Cab- 
inet proceedings  so  that  he  can  make  a  clear  and  concise 
report  to  the  business  meeting  of  the  Chapter.  This  record 
of  the  proceedings  should  be  read  at  the  close  of  the  Cabinet 
meeting,  especially  if  the  Cabinet  meets  a  few  days  before 
the  regular  monthly  business  meeting  of  the  Chapter,  as  in 
most  cases  it  will. 

At  the  business  meeting  of  the  Chapter  the  Secretary 
will  present  the  proceedings  of  the  Cabinet,  so  far  as  they 
involve  recommendations  to  the  Chapter  for  action.  In 
most  matters  the  Cabinet  can  not  act  on  its  own  initiative. 
It  can  study  the  interests  of  the  Chapter  carefully,  discuss 
proposed  plans,  while  they  are  yet  only  plans  and  not 
definite  policies,  and  so  can  relieve  the  business  meeting  of 
any  necessity  for  discussing  unprofitable  things,  or  for  dis- 
cussing things  in  an  unprofitable  way.  It  can  keep  the 
balance  between  departments,  and  prevent  disorder  and 
clash  of  interests.  But  it  can  not  decide  matters  which 
belong  to  the  whole  Chapter.  For  instance,  it  can  not 
elect  members,  but  must  nominate  them.  It  can  not  nomi- 
nate persons  for  election  to  League  offices.  It  can  pro- 
pose a  budget,  but  the  Chapter  must  adopt  it.  It  can  not 
spent  money,  except  by  a  vote  of  the  Chapter. 

In  every  way  the  usefulness  of  the  Cabinet  is  entirely 
sufficient  to  justify  all  effort  to  keep  it  in  perfect  working 
order. 

54 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

The  following  is  a  suggestive  order  of  business  for  the 
Cabinet  meeting: 

1.  Devotional  moments. 

2.  Roll  call. 

3.  The  record  of  the  last  meeting,  read  for  information. 

4.  Reports  from  the  officers  of  all  work  done  during 
the  month. 

5.  Recommendations  from  the  several  officers,  of  plans 
and  methods,  for  consideration. 

6.  Nomination  of  candidates  for  membership. 

7.  Assignment  of  members  to  departments.  Transfers 
between  departments. 

8.  Are  there  any  members  who  need  special  attention? 

9.  What  should  be  the  important  feature  of  the  next 
business  meeting?  (See  Chapter  V,  "A  New  Inter- 
est,"  etc.) 

10.  Miscellaneous    business. 

11.  Reading  of  the  record  of  the  meeting. 

12.  Adjournment. 

The  Cabinet  may  help  greatly  in  the  work  of  the 
Church  by  arranging  a  conference  with  the  Sunday  School 
Board.  At  this  conference  these  questions  would  naturally 
arise:  How  can  the  Sunday  school  and  the  Chapter  be  of 
mutual  service  ?  Are  there  any  points  at  which  the  work  of 
the  two  bodies  seems  to  conflict?  If  so,  what  can  be  done 
to   remedy  the   difficulty? 

If  difficulty  is  found  in  getting  the  department  commit- 
tees together,  the  following  plan  will  often  be  of  value.  Set 
apart  one  night  in  the  month  as  committee  night,  when  all 
the  committees  shall  meet  at  the  church,  each  committee 
going  to  its  own  part  of  the  room.  The  committees  may 
take  an  hour  for  the  consideration  of  their  work,  after 
which  will  come  an  informal  social  time,  shared  in  by  all 
the  committee  members  present. 

In  dealing  with  the  question  of  membership  the  Cabinet 
will  need  much  wisdom  and  Christian  charity.  All  appli- 
cations for  membership  are  first  submitted  to  the  Cabinet. 
Now,  the  Chapter  is  not  a  club,  from  which  .-ill  uncongenial 
persons  may  properly  be  excluded.     It  is  rather  a  company 

.55 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  people  seeking  to  be  of  the  largest  possible  service  to 
one  another  and  to  the  world  outside.  Personal  considera- 
tions must  not  be  allowed  to  control  in  the  admission  of 
members.  The  Cabinet,  which  decides  whether  an  appli- 
cant shall  be  recommended  or  not,  possesses  thus  a  power 
of  exclusion  which  should  be  rarely  exercised.  The  Chap- 
ter, for  its  own  sake  and  for  the  sake  of  the  work,  should 
secure  as  many  new  members  as  possible.  It  may  not  be 
easy  to  see  how  a  proposed  member  may  be  of  value  to  the 
Chapter,  or  the  Chapter  to  him,  if  he  should  be  elected. 
But  it  is  not  difficult  to  see  that  there  will  be  no  value  given 
or  received  on  either  side  if  the  candidate  is  excluded. 

It  is  better  to  err  on  the  side  of  admitting  to  membership 
doubtful  candidates,  provided  that  the  Chapter  has  sufficient 
vitality  and  grace  to  make  sure  that  the  new  members  will 
not  lower  the  standard  of  the  Chapter's  life.  Standing  in 
Christ's  stead,  the  Epworth  League  member  is  come  to 
seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost,  and  the  Christ-method 
of  accomplishing  that  holy  work  is  the  method  of  personal 
association.  The  "doubtful"  candidate  may  be  just  the  one 
who  has  most  need  of  the  Chapter's  help  and  influence,  and 
who  will  most  completely  justify  any  sacrifice  of  inclination 
and  taste  which  his  admission  may  make  necessary. 

It  will  be  found  helpful  at  times  if  the  Cabinet  will  call 
the  roll  of  the  entire  membership,  giving  opportunity  for 
suggestion  and  information  concerning  each  member.  The 
main  question  should  be,  "What  can  we  do  for  this  member 
that  we  are  not  now  doing?"  and  "What  more  can  that 
member  be  induced  to  do  for  the  Chapter  and  the  Church?" 
In  raising  these  questions,  the  special  interests  represented 
by  the  various  members  of  the  Cabinet  will  be  enlisted.  In 
one  case  the  Third  Vice-President  may  have  just  the  answer 
that  is  needed;  in  another  the  Secretary  may  furnish  the 
suggestion;  in  another,  the  chairman  of  the  Mercy  and 
Help  Department. 

When  it  becomes  necessary  to  exclude  any  member  from 
the  Chapter,  the  Cabinet  has  the  delicate  duty  of  recom- 
mending such  action.  The  accused  member  has  the  right 
to  appear,  not  before  the  Chapter,  but  before  the  Cabinet, 
and  to  be  heard  there  in  his  own  behalf.      If,  after  such 

5G 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

hearing,  it  is  considered  by  any  that  exclusion  is  the  safe 
and  Christian  thing,  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Cabinet  is  re- 
quired to  recommend  that  action  to  the  Chapter.  Unless 
there  are  extraordinary  reasons  for  some  other  action,  the 
recommendation  of  the  Cabinet  should  be  adopted  by  the 
Chapter. 

At  the  beginning  of  a  new  term  of  office  the  wise  Cabinet 
adopts  a  policy  or  program  which  it  will  attempt  to  carry 
out  during  the  twelve  months  to  come.  The  advantage  of 
focusing  effort  and  interest  on  a  definite  program  is  evident 
enough.  An  incidental  gain  of  this  plan  is  that  every  de- 
partment may  be  given  proper  attention.  Thus  the  Chapter 
will  grow  symmetrically,  and  avoid  the  criticism  that  its 
interest  is  all  absorbed  by  one  favorite  project. 

The  Business  Meeting. 

For  intelligent  understanding  of  the  Chapter's  work  and 
the  proper  conduct  of  its  business,  a  periodical  business 
meeting  is  necessary.  A  monthly  meeting  is  preferable  to 
one  held  more  frequently,  and  in  an  active  Chapter  it  is 
not  likely  that  a  meeting  at  longer  intervals  would  be  suf- 
ficient for  the  needs  of  the  work.  Of  course,  no  Epworth 
League  Chapter  will  hold  a  business  meeting  on  Sunday. 
Indeed,  it  is  not  wise  to  let  any  secular  item  of  business 
intrude  into  the  devotional  meeting,  unless  under  stress  of 
unusual  circumstances. 

The  question  of  a  quorum  will  be  settled  early  in  the 
life  of  a  Chapter.  The  fact  that  the  business  meeting  is 
held  at  a  stated  time,  and  that  full  announcement  is  made 
of  the  meeting  as  it  draws  near,  gives  sufficient  publicity 
so  that  all  members  who  desire  may  arrange  to  attend. 
A  large  quorum  requirement  usually  serves  no  better  pur- 
pose than  to  cripple  the  business  of  the  Chapter,  and  to 
alienate  the  interest  of  those  who  may  come  once  or  twice 
only  to  find  that  the}'  have  their  journey  for  their  pains. 
Better  do  business  with  a  handful  than  wait  for  a  crowd. 

Wherever  it  can  be  done,  and  there  are  few  places 
where  it  can  not,  the  monthly  business  meeting  should  be 
specially  considered  by  the  Fourth  Vice-President. 
Through   the   co-operation   of  that  officer,   simple   but   at- 

57 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN 

tractive  social  features  may  be  prepared,  so  that  at  the 
close  of  the  business  session  it  will  be  possible  to  devote 
thirty  minutes  or  an  hour  to  informal  sociability,  or  to  a 
prepared  program  of  games,  etc. 

There  are  advantages  in  holding  the  business  meeting 
at  a  private  house,  if  the  Chapter  is  not  too  large.  But 
unless  it  can  be  made  perfectly  convenient  for  friends  of 
the  Chapter  to  open  their  homes  for  this  purpose  without 
serious  disarrangement,  the  meetings  should  be  held  in  the 
church.  Do  not  trespass  on  good  nature.  Then  you  will 
be  the  more  welcome  on  those  rare  occasions  when  you 
really  need  to  ask  for  the  opening  of  a  private  home  for 
your  meeting. 

Although,  as  has  been  suggested,  the  social  feature  may 
be  made  a  part  of  the  business  meeting,  do  not  depend 
upon  that  to  attract  the  attendance.  Young  people,  like 
other  people,  are  attracted  by  "doings"  in  which  they  are 
interested.  If  there  is  real  business,  business  that  counts, 
and  business  that  really  appeals  to  the  members  of  the 
Chapter,  then  the  business  itself  will  be  attractive  enough. 
Most  Chapters  can  find  in  the  course  of  a  month  sufficient 
real  business  to  justify  all  the  interest  and  enthusiasm  of 
the  majority  of  its  membership. 

The  business  meeting  is  not  a  mob.  On  the  other  hand, 
it  is  not  a  great  deliberative  body.  The  happy  medium 
between  these  two  extremes  is  secured  when  the  Chapter, 
in  its  business  meetings,  is  subject  to  simple  but  definite 
rules  of  order.  A  knowledge  and  use  of  parliamentary  law, 
such  as  is  given  in  Bishop  Neely's  "Parliamentarian,"  will 
make  the  meeting  not  only  more  resultful,  but  will  shorten 
the  time  of  the  session.  No  business  meeting  can  be  a 
permanent  success  if  it  is  a  chatter-meeting.  On  the  other 
hand,  it  is  a  real  affliction  when  some  members  of  the 
Chapter  are  possessed  of  the  idea  that  Robert's  "Rules  of 
Order,"  or  Cushing's  "Manual"  is  more  important  than 
the  actual  transaction  of  actual  business. 

The  various  officers  of  the  Chapter  will  make  monthly 
reports.  The  reports  will  cover  what  was  done  and  planned 
during  the  preceding  month,  and  perhaps  what  is  proposed 
for  the  month  to  come.     The  members  need  to  discuss  these 

58 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

reports.  Of  course,  the  discussion  is  for  conference  and 
for  results,  and  not  for  empty  criticism.  The  less  of  the 
faultfinding  spirit  or  of  the  spirit  of  carping  objection,  the 
better  for  the  Chapter. 

The  reports  of  the  officers  and  committees  should  be 
written.  This  can  not  be  too  strongly  insisted  upon.  A 
written  report  will  be  prepared  with  at  least  a  little  care 
to  its  contents.  A  verbal  report  may  be  anything  or  noth- 
ing, with  the  chances  in  favor  of  its  being  as  near  nothing 
as  the  conscience  of  the  officer  concerned  will  allow.  A 
written  report  abides.  It  is  there  next  month.  Last  year's 
record  is  valuable  for  comparison,  for  encouragement,  or, 
it  may  be,  for  warning.  The  Secretary  can  not  be  too  care- 
ful about  the  filing  and  preserving  of  these  reports.  It 
may  seem  a  matter  of  small  importance,  but  in  a  large 
measure  the  work  of  the  Chapter  will  be  indicated  and 
influenced  by  the  sort  of  reports  its  officers  get  into  the 
habit  of  making. 

It  will  be  a  great  help  to  the  business  meeting  if  each 
succeeding  month  a  fresh  center  of  interest  can  be  found. 
Some  department  of  the  Chapter's  work  can  be  given  right 
of  way,  so  that  the  entire  Chapter  may  focus  its  thought 
and  interest  on  that  one  particular  point. 

The  business  meeting  receives  recommendations  for 
membership  from  the  Cabinet,  and  elects  candidates  to 
membership.  The  electing  must  be  done  in  business  meet- 
ing, but  for  the  sake  of  the  Chapter  and  for  the  sake  of 
the  new  members,  they  ought  to  be  received  in  some  formal 
and  public  way.  This  may  be  done,  very  briefly,  but  with 
sufficient  impressiveness,  at  the  first  regular  devotional 
meeting  following  the  business  session. 

Quite  frequently  it  will  be  found  helpful  to  have  a 
paper  or  discussion  of  Epworth  League  work  in  a  broader 
and  more  general  way  than  is  possible  when  discussing 
the  specific  problems  of  the  Chapter.  Arrange  a  quiz ; 
invite  a  district  officer ;  have  a  debate  on  some  question  of 
League  policy.  These  things  will  broaden  the  Chapter's 
interest  in  the  League  as  a  connectional  institution. 

Invite  the  pastor  to  the  business  meeting.  Do  not  en- 
courage him  to  think  that  the  young  people  prefer  his  room 

59 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

to  his  company.  In  most  places  it  is  not  true,  and  for 
the  pastor's  sake  as  well  as  for  the  best  interest  of  the 
Chapter,  it  ought  never  to  be  true.  He  needs  the  Chapter, 
and  is  needed  b}^  it.     He  will  get  and  give  much. 

There  are  two  dangers  which  lie  in  the  path  of  an  Ep- 
worth  League  business  meeting.  One,  that  it  will  degen- 
erate into  a  perfunctory  performance,  without  life  or  vigor 
or  interest.  If  that  happens,  the  attendance  will  decrease, 
the  work  of  the  Chapter  will  languish,  and  the  securing 
of  new  recruits  will  fail,  because  nobody  will  care  to  ask 
them  and  they  will  not  care  to  come. 

The  other  danger  is  that  the  interest  in  the  various 
plans  and  enterprises  of  the  Chapter  will  be  so  intense 
that  feelings  may  be  overstrained  and  a  spirit  of  unfriendly 
rivalry,  or  even  jealousy,  may  creep  in. 

Both  of  these  hindrances  may  be  avoided  by  remem- 
bering that  the  business  meeting  is  intrusted  with  interests 
that  are  of  the  greatest  importance.  The  members  are  set 
to  organize  and  combine  their  resources  for  spiritual  and 
permanent  results.  For  this  reason  the  business  meeting 
calls  for  the  same  prayerful  spirit  and  the  same  sense  of 
God's  presence  as  does  the  devotional  meeting.  With  this 
atmosphere  prevailing,  interest  will  be  deeper  and  more  real, 
personal  differences  will  disappear  in  a  common  loyalty 
to  Jesus  Christ,  brotherly  love  and  Christian  patience  will 
abound,  and  the  business  meeting  will  become  a  place  of 
the  keenest  interest  and  yet  of  the  most  complete  friendli- 
ness  and    fellowship. 

Once  a  year,  early  in  May,  as  recommended  by  the 
Board  of  Control,  the  business  meeting  will  be  found  of 
unusual  importance.  Complete  reports  for  the  year  will  be 
presented  and  considered. 

If  the  Chapter  is  wise  it  will  give  large  and  definite 
recognition  to  all  the  good  work  that  has  been  done  by  the 
retiring  officers.  Pass  a  simple  but  hearty  resolution  of 
thanks. 

There  may  be  some  deficiencies  in  the  finances  of  the 
Chapter.  These  should  be  provided  for  at  this  annual  busi- 
ness meeting  by  some  proper  and  adequate  method. 

The  officers  for  the  year  to  come  are  to  be  elected  at 
00 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

this  meeting.  Of  course,  they  will  be  carefully  selected 
from  the  best  available  material,  and  they  will  be  elected 
for  business,  not  for  fun,  nor  from  prejudice,  nor  as  a 
mere  mark  of  honor. 

It  will  probably  be  possible  to  present  the  budget  for 
the  coming  year's  activities  at  the  annual  meeting,  although 
in  many  cases  that  will  be  left  until  the  new  officers  have 
formulated  their  plans  and  can  estimate  the  probable  cost 
of  carrying  them  out. 

Every  annual  meeting  ought  to  mark  a  distinct  advance 
in  every  feature  of  the  Chapter's  work.  The  Secretary 
should  read,  at  some  point  in  the  meeting,  a  complete  sum- 
mary of  the  condition  of  the  Chapter  as  it  was  twelve 
months  before,  compared  with  what  it  is  at  the  date  of  this 
meeting. 

A  simple  program  for  the  business  meeting,  with  al- 
lowance for  any  amount  of  variation  to  suit  local  and 
occasional  needs,  is  as  follows : 

1.  Devotional  exercises. 

2.  The  reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  last  meeting. 

3.  Unfinished  business. 

4.  Officers'  reports  and  their  discussion. 

5.  Recommendations  of  the  Cabinet. 

6.  Election  of  members. 

7.  New  business. 

8.  Special.      Papers,  discussion,  or  other  general   fea- 
tures. 

9.  Reading  of  the  minutes,  for  information. 
10.    Social  hour. 

Samples  of  League  Oversight. 
The  letters   of   League   leaders   to   their  young   people 
never  were  so   full  of  optimism   and   practical   idealism  as 
they  are  in  this  present  year  of  grace. 

The  President  of  the  Montana  State  League,  Roy  C. 
Smith,  begins  his  letter  to  the  local  presidents  in  this  vig- 
orous fashion: 

"You  and   I   have  had  a  great  honor  and   a   great 
responsibility  given  to  us — to  lead  and  direct  the  forces 
of  the   Epworth   League   in   this   great   State   of  ours 
61 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

during  the  coming  year.  What  are  we,  you  and  I,  go- 
ing to  do  about  it?  I  am  wondering  if  you  are  as  much 
impressed  as   I  by  our  opportunity. 

"If  you  were  at  the  convention,  you  heard  about 
the  great  things  planned  for  the  new  year.  If  you 
were  not,  you  have  heard  about  them  through  other 
Epworthians,  the  Messenger,  the  State  Cabinet,  etc. 
Surely  your  League  is  going  to  do  its  share  this  year, 
and  it  depends  on  you  and  me  whether  it  does  or  not. 
Won't  you  let  me  help  you?" 

Here  are  the  seven  things  the  first  department  of  the 
Illinois  State  League  is  working  for,  as  set  forth  in  the 
letter  of  Mr.  George  F.  Zaneis,  in  charge  of  that  depart- 
ment: 

"First:  'The  Devotional  Meeting.'  The  motto  be- 
ing, 'Every  member  a  Christian,  every  Christian  a 
better  Christian.' 

"Second:  'Personal  Evangelism.'  Motto,  'Zeal  in 
spreading  the  gospel.'  Organize  a  Personal  Work 
Committee,  which  will  meet  once  a  month  for  fifteen 
minutes  before  the  devotional  meeting.  Pray  for  the 
unconverted  members  of  your  Chapter  and  others  in 
the  community.  Use  every  member  sometime,  some- 
where, and  somehow.  Work  with  the  pastor,  secure 
his  influence,  help  him  in  his  evangelistic  services  and 
any  other  special  work  he  wishes  the  committee  to  do. 

"Third:  'Bible-study  Classes.'  The  Church's  grow- 
ing interest  in  the  study  of  the  Bible  is  largely  trace- 
able to  the  activities  of  the  Epworth  League. 

"Fourth:  'The  Morning  Watch.'  Motto,  'Watch, 
pray,  talk  with  the  Master  daily.'  Establish  a  Morn- 
ing Watch  enrollment  class  and  adopt  the  pledge. 

"Fifth:  'The  Daily  Prayer  Lists.'  Closely  linked 
with  the  fourth  branch  on  Morning  Watch  is  this  spe- 
cial systematic  personal  prayer  list. 

"Over  eight  thousand  prayer  lists  have  been  sent 
throughout  the  State  in  a  year.  In  one  district  alone 
over  three  hundred  have  been  benefited  by  this  prayer 
list.  Many  encouraging  reports  have  been  received 
of  the  success  of  this  plan,  and  we  have  been  advised 
62 


OVERSEEING  THE  CHAPTER'S  WORK. 

by  many  to  continue  the  daily  prayer  lists  for  another 
year.  They  can  be  secured  at  the  Chicago  office  of  the 
Book  Concern  at  one  cent  each. 

"Sixth:  'Open- Air  Meetings.'  From  late  spring  to 
early  fall  many  Chapters  have  found  open-air  meet- 
ings a  great  means  of  usefulness. 

"Seventh:  'Spiritual  Welfare  of  Members.'      Estab- 
lish a  praying  band  to  meet  occasionally  for  prayer. 
Pray  especially  for  those  in  your  community  who  occa- 
sionally visit  3'our  meetings  who  do  not  claim  Christ 
as  their  Savior." 
These  are  just  samples,  symptoms,  straws.     Wherever 
the  leaders  have  caught  the  spirit  of  the  League's  relation 
to  the  young  life  of  the  Church  they  are  working  at  definite 
and  wholly  worth-while  tasks. 

As  more  League  leadership  rises  to  this  level  the  Church 
will  have  a  new  reason  to  be  thankful  in  the  new  reinforce- 
ments the  League  provides. 

Deflating  Swollen  Committees. 

The  department  assignments  should  be  made  or,  per- 
haps,  be   revised    for  the   beginning   of   each    fall's    work. 

What  is  the  system  in  your  Chapter? 

Do  you  put  members  on  the  committees  for  the  same 
reason  that  influential  people  are  asked  to  the  platform 
at  a  political  meeting,  to  bind  them  a  little  closer  to  the 
cause  by  giving  them  a  little  cheap  recognition,  or  do  you 
put  them  on  because  there  is  work  to  do  and  they  can  and 
will  do  it? 

The  League  is  interested  in  a  large  membership  list, 
but  not  to  the  extent  of  getting  members  who  must  be 
coaxed  and  coddled  and  cajoled  into  loyalty  and  service. 

Let  it  be  understood,  when  a  member  is  assigned  to  one 
of  the  departments,  that  the  assignment  is  a  business  ar- 
rangement, and  not  a  compliment  or  a  bribe. 

That  may  mean  smaller  department  committees  and 
fewer  schemes  of  activity.  But  what  of  that?  Padded 
lists  and  paper  programs  deceive  nobody,  except  perhaps 
those  who  contrive  them.  And  only  for  a  little  while. 
even  so. 

63 


CHAPTER  V. 

WORKING   EFFICIENCY   IN   THE 
LEADERS. 

Scientific  Management  in  League  Work. 
Scientific  management  is  a  thing  of  the  hour.     It  is  even 
applied  everywhere — on  the  farm,  even,  as  carefully  as  in 
the  automobile  factory. 

But  its  best  use  is  a  personal  use.  The  twenty-two 
rules  for  efficiency  printed  below,  which  are  taken  from 
"Tests  of  Efficiency,"  by  Harold  Holmes,  reveal  ways  of 
applying  to  one's  self  the  standards  of  the  efficiency 
engineer.     Try  them. 

And  notice  how  they  would  fit  when  applied  to  Epworth 
League   work. 

We  suggest  that  some  alert  Epworthian  take  this  list, 
and,  by  changing  a  word  here  and  there,  make  it  appro- 
priate for  reading  in  the  League  meeting  or  at  the  con- 
vention. 

Let  the  first  be  stated  thus,  for  example:  "It  is  within 
the  power  of  ever)'  Epworthian  to  so  develop  his  League 
efficiency  that  he  can  get  complete  satisfaction  out  of  his 
labor."     And   so  on. 

Even  if  your  paraphrased  list  is  never  used,  it  will  do 
you  good  to  make  it. 

Here  are  the  items : 

1.  It  is  within  the  power  of  every  man  to  so  develop 
his  efficiency  that  he  can  get  a  good  price  for  his  labor. 

2.  Disraeli  says,  "Be  ready  when  your  opportunity 
comes." 

3.  Think  out  your  problems  carefully. 

4>.    Let  your  ambition  supply  the  enthusiasm. 
5.    Control    and    centralize    your    thoughts    to    develop 
thought  capacitv. 

64 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

0.  The  way  in  which  your  hours  of  freedom  are  spent 
increases  or  decreases  your  efficiency. 

7.  Efficiency  is  the  ratio  between  results  and  oppor- 
tunity. 

8.  A  fifty  per  cent  machine,  like  a  fifty-point  man.  is 
always  open  to  question. 

9.  There  are  many  who  think  it  smart  to  do  as  little 
as  they  can  get  by  with. 

10.  Every  employer  wants  honesty,  loyalty,  sobriety, 
punctuality,  and  industry. 

11.  Initiative  is  the  suggestion  of  methods  of  action, 
better  methods  than  those  of  yesterday,  without  being  told. 

12.  Do  a  thing  a  little  better  than  it  was  ever  done 
before. 

13.  Lessen  your  limitations  and  you  will  increase  your 
efficiency. 

14.  It  is  not  so  much  what  you  do,  but  how  you  do  it. 

15.  Put  your  heart  into  your  work,  and  then  work  with 
all  your  might. 

16.  Make  good  rather  than  make  excuses. 

17.  Give  undivided  service  or  none. 

18.  "A  man  passes  for  what  he  is  worth." — Emerson. 

19.  The  successful  man  is  made,  not  born. 

20.  Efficiency  is  measured  in  deeds,  not  in  reasons  why 
deeds  are  not  performed. 

21.  Form  the  habit  of  concentration. 

22.  If  you  want  to  hold  your  job,  if  you  want  to  be 
in  line  for  a  better  position,  you  must  render  honest,  efficient 
service. 

Making  the  Community  Need  Us. 

"The  public  invited,"  "strangers  welcome,"  and  similar 
phrases  are  a  confession  of  weakness  or  laziness  or  ig- 
norance. 

If  the  public  and  the  strangers  never  discover  that 
you  have  something  for  them  except  as  they  get  the  idea 
from  these  phrases,  your  business  will  one  day  receive  a 
call  from  a  gentleman  who  was  not  invited,  and  who  will 
not  be  welcome  when  he  comes. 

An  Epworth  League  Chapter  which  buys  a  hundred 
5  65 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

topic  cards  on  which  are  printed,  "You  will  find  a  cordial 
welcome,"  and  calls  that  "advertising  the  meeting,"  will 
not  be  troubled  to  provide  chairs  for  the  multitude. 

An  old  friend  said  one  day,  "When  I  find  that  a  thing 
is  really  inevitable,  I  fix  myself  to  get  reconciled  to  it." 
We  may  as  well  "fix  ourselves  to  get  reconciled"  to  the  fact 
that  there  is  no  irresistible  demands  in  the  community  for 
the  work  of  the  Church  and  the  League.  We  may  tell 
people,  as  does  the  washing  machine  agent,  that  they  "can't 
keep  house  without  it,"  but  they  do  n't  believe  us,  or  are 
content  to  fuddle  along  in  the  old  way. 

What  then  ?  Why,  the  only  thing  left  is  to  create  a 
demand  for  something  which  people  need,  but  did  n't  know 
they  wanted ! 

There  was  once  no  demand  for  automobiles,  and  the 
first  miner  of  anthracite  coal  could  n't  sell  the  stuff.  "David 
Harum"  was  refused  by  more  than  one  publisher.  Chi- 
cago's Thomas  Orchestra  began  its  career  playing  to  empty 
benches  or  "paper"  houses. 

To-day  one  maker  is  producing  300,000  automobiles  as 
his  season's  output.  If  "David  Harum's"  author  had  lived 
he  could  have  sold  his  second  book  at  his  own  price  before 
writing  a  line  of  it.  Now  we  are  glad  to  get  hard  coal, 
though  we  pay  a  big  price  for  it.  Thomas  Orchestra  tickets 
for  the  whole  winter  season  are  almost  all  sold  before  the 
first  week's  concert. 

The  Epworth  League  Chapter  must  create  a'  demand 
for  itself  and  its  product,  or  it  will  go  down.  There  are 
plenty  of  young  people  who  ought  to  be  in  its  meetings  and 
its  work — plenty  of  what  the  piano  salesman  calls  "pros- 
pects." But  they  have  to  be  captured  by  making  them 
want  what  the  League  offers. 

How  ?  Ay !  there  's  the  rub.  There  are  a  thousand 
ways,  and  not  a  single  one  which  can  be  guaranteed  to  suc- 
ceed. Everything  depends  on  personal  devotion  and  faith 
and  sense  and  resourcefulness.  Nobody  knows  the  easy 
road,  for  there  is  n't  any. 

But  any  Chapter  has  gone  far  on  the  difficult  road  to 
success  when  it  recognizes  that  it  must  do  something  more 
than  open  its  doors  and  put  up  a  bulletin  board. 

60 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

The  first  great  task  of  every  Epworth  League  Chapter 
is  to  create  a  demand  for  its  output. 

("But,"  warns  our  friend,  the  sales  manager  of  a  manu- 
facturing concern,  "I  know  a  man  who  went  hroke  because 
his  advertising  was  so  good  that  he  was  swamped  with 
orders  which  he  could  n't  deliver.") 

Finding  the  Facts  in  Any  Chapter. 

Is  your  Epworth  League  Chapter  organized  for  efficient 
work?     Have  you  an  efficient  President? 

Is  your  President  supported  by  an  efficient  Cabinet? 

Do  the  other  Vice-Presidents  really  work  at  the  ac- 
tivities of  their  several  departments?  (The  First  Vice- 
President  usually  can  show  a  fair  average  of  effort.) 

Is  the  business  of  the  Chapter  as  well  managed  as  the 
business  of  the  successful  merchants  of  your  community? 

Could  you  write  a  report  of  the  Chapter's  work  for 
last  year  without  padding  or  vague  generalities,  that  would 
justify  the  year's  expense  and  effort  spent  on  the  Chapter? 

Is  your  membership  list  a  relic,  a  guess,  a  Chinese 
puzzle,  or  .actually  a  list  of  living,  accessible,  dependable 
members  ? 

Have  you  a  budget,  with  plans  for  the  spending  of 
ever}'  dollar  you  purpose  raising,  or  do  you  take  a  col- 
lection whenever  it  becomes  necessary  to  get  money  for 
some  emergency  that  might  have  been  foreseen,  but  was  n't  ? 

In  a  word,  can  you,  or  anybody,  prepare  a  definite  sur- 
vey of  your  Chapter  so  that  a  new  pastor,  for  instance, 
might  study  it  with  the  certainty  that  he  was  getting 
exact  and  essential  information  about  one  of  the  Church's 
important  agencie^s? 

The  thing  can  be  done,  of  course.  But  in  some  Chap- 
ters the  doing  of  it  would  be  no  light  labor. 

Until  such  a  survey  is  possible,  nobody  can  tell  what 
your  Chapter  can  do  or  should  do  or  might  be  expected  to 
do  in  a  given  situation.  And  when  that  knowledge  is  avail- 
able, your  Chapter  will  be  twice  as  useful,  with  the  same 
resources,  as  it  could  possibly  be  under  the  policy  of  "mud- 
dling through." 

67 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Make  a  survey  !  One  form  is  suggested  here,  and  man}' 
modifications  will  occur  to  expert  readers. 

Questions  for  a  Survey  of  the  Chapter. 
President : 

1.  When  first  elected? 

2.  Previous  League  offices  held  ? 

3.  Other  Church  offices  held? 

Cabinet  Officers  (same  questions  as  to  each)  : 

1.  When  first  elected? 

2.  Previous  department  service? 
First  Department : 

1.  Devotional  meeting — time?  Average  attendance? 
General  character  of  meeting?  Leaders — how  appointed, 
frequency  of  service,  nature  of  preparation,  material  avail- 
able for  preparation?  Topics  used?  Special  features 
(music,  addresses,  etc.),  ushers,  departmental  co-operation 
with  leader? 

2.  Number  of  Bible-study  classes?  Text-books  used? 
Enrollment?  Is  Bible  study  a  regular  form  of  activity? 
How  many  weeks  annually? 

3.  Special  meetings — when  and  what? 

4.  Evangelistic  work — when  and  where?  Public? 
Personal?  Classes  in  personal  evangelism?  Enrollment? 
Results  ? 

5.  Morning  Watch  enrollment?  What  attempt  to  en- 
courage Morning  Watch? 

G.    Co-operation  with  pastor — when,  how? 
Second  Department  : 

1.  Missionary  devotional  meetings — how  led  and  what 
nature  ? 

2.  Number  of  mission-study  classes?  Text-books  used 
this  year?     Previous  years?     Enrollment?     Results? 

3.  Christian  Stewardship  enrollment?  Study  class? 
Special  effort? 

4.  Missionary  contributions  of  Chapter?  Amount? 
Objects? 

5.  Is  department  in  regular  correspondence  with  Mis- 
sionary' Education  Department,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York?' 

68 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

Third  Department : 

1.  Systematic  visiting?  How?  Among  what  people? 
Results? 

2.  Local  relief  and  benevolence — what  forms?  To  what 
extent?     How  financed?     Records? 

3.  Long-distance  work — what  institutions  and  objects? 
Form  of  help  given  ?     Value  in  money  ? 

f.     Fresh-air  work? 

5.  Temperance  work — what  forms?     Results? 

6.  Christian  citizenship  work — what  forms?  What  co- 
operation with  other  bodies  ? 

7.  Study  class  in  social  service?  What  text-books? 
Enrollment? 

8.  Distribution  of  literature?  What  sort?  Where? 
How  much? 

9.  Social  service  work?     What  forms? 
Fourth  Department  : 

1.  Plans  for  regular  recreational  activity?  How  fi- 
nanced ? 

2.  Recreational  gatherings  within  last  six  months?  At- 
tendance ?     Results  ? 

3.  What  plans  for  educational  work?  What  study 
classes  other  than  those  in  first  three  departments?  Read- 
ing clubs?     Lecture  courses?     Literary  evenings? 

4.  What  work  in  securing  new  members  ?  How  many 
members  gained  this  year?  Membership  contests?  First 
results  ?     Final  effects  ? 

5.  How  is  The  Herald  club  secured?  Number  of  sub- 
scribers?     How  may  list  be  increased? 

6.  Flowers  for  pulpit?      Later  disposition? 

7.  Decorations — when  used?  Extent  and  character? 
Secretary  : 

1.  What  records  are  kept?  Reports  made?  Corre- 
spondence with  District,  Conference,  or  State  officers?  Are 
present  officers  reported  at  Central  Office?  Other  cor- 
respondence with  Central  Office? 

2.  Method  of  membership  transfer  and  reception? 

3.  Publicity  methods?  General  advertising?  Special 
printed   matter?      Announcements — when   and   how   made? 

G9 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Treasurer: 

1.  Financial  method?     Results? 

2.  Annual  budget — how  prepared  and  presented? 

3.  Relation  of  Treasurer  to  Christian  Stewardship  work 
of  Second  Department? 

General: 

1.  Business  meetings — when  and  how?  How  well  at- 
tended?    Combined  with  socials? 

2.  Cabinet  meetings — function  and  frequency? 

3.  Is  a  yearly  policy  formulated?  How?  What  dots 
it  cover?     How  completely  is  it  followed? 

4.  Relation  to  Junior  League? 

5.  Relation  to  Sundaj^  school? 

G.     Relation  to  district  and  other  League  organizations? 

7.  Is  pledge  used?  Is  membership  grouping,  as  active 
and  associate,  satisfactory  in  operation? 

8.  Membership:  Young  men?  Young  women?  Resi- 
dent? Non-resident?  Active?  Associate?  Church  mem- 
bers? Workers  in  other  departments  of  the  Church  (Sun- 
day school,  missionary  societies,  Junior  League,  Official 
Board)  ? 

9.  Distribution  of  membership — is  each  member  as- 
signed to  a  department?  How  and  by  whom  are  assign- 
ments made? 

10.  What  special  days  are  observed  through  the  year 
(Anniversary  Day,  Epworth  Herald  Day,  League  Rally 
Day,  Bible  Study,  Missionary  Study,  and  Christian  Stew- 
ardship Rally  Days)  ? 

1 1.  Elections  and  installations — dates,  form  of  installa- 
tion ? 

12.  Affiliation  with  other  bodies — City  Union?  Federa- 
tion of  Young  People's  Societies?  Group?  Subdistrict? 
District?  Conference?  State?  General  Conference  Dis- 
trict ?  Method  of  affiliation  ?  Delegates  to  conventions  ? 
Dues  ?     Contributions  ? 

Finding  the  Facts  in  Any  Community. 
After  the  Chapter  knows  itself,  it  ought  to  make  some 
searching  studies  of  its  field  and  the  work  that  ought  to 
be  done.      A   suggestive   series  of  questions   is   here  given, 

70 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

which  may  be  added  to,  or  taken  from,  to  meet  local  needs. 
Only,  do  not  be  satisfied  with  guesses  or  generalities.  Get 
the  facts ! 

THE  COMMUNITY. 

1.  Define  the  community  precisely,  stating  its  bounds. 

2.  If  a  city  community,  decide  upon  the  number  of 
blocks  to  be  taken  into  consideration. 

3.  If  a  country  community,  how  many  miles? 

■f.  If  a  village,  consider  the  community  as  a  whole, 
the  village  being  the  unit  of  study. 

THE    CHURCH. 

1.  What  is  the  value  of  the  present  church  building? 

2.  Are  there  social  rooms?  Club  rooms?  Is  the  build- 
ing attractive  to  young  people?  State  number  of  rooms 
and  their  use :  Auditorium  ?  Sunday  school  class  rooms  ? 
Gymnasium  ?     Chapel  ?     Kitchen  ? 

3.  Is  the  building  adapted  to  the  needs  of  the  com- 
munity ?  Would  a  better  building  mean  better  service  ? 
What  improvements  would  you  make  if  you  were  rebuilding? 

4.  How  often  is  the  building  open?  What  is  the  total 
attendance  at  its  meetings  in  a  week? 

5.  What  proportion  of  the  Church  membership  has  no 
interest   in    the    Church — except    that    of    worship. 

6.  Are  the  men  organized?  Would  they  take  more  in- 
terest if  they  were? 

7.  Describe  some  organization  that  your  Church  could 
start  for  the  discussion  and  promotion  of  community  in- 
terests. «= 

8.  What  methods  are  used  by  your  Church  to  minister 
to  the  unchurched? 

9.  Mention  needs  of  the  community  common  to  all  the 
Churches  where  they  might  profitably  work  together. 

10.  What  are  the  vital  needs  in  your  community  in 
which  no  Church  is  showing  an  interest? 

11.  In  what  reforms  or  enterprises  does  the  Church 
lead? 

71 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

1.  How  many  young  people  over  fourteen  years  and 
unmarried  are  in  the  community?  How  many  of  these 
are  boys?     How  many  are  girls? 

2.  How  many  young  men  over  fourteen  years  of  age 
are  continuing  in  school  ?  How  many  young  women  ?  How 
many  are  away  from  home  at  high  school?  How  many 
away  at  college? 

3.  How  many  after  leaving  school  are  at  productive 
work  in  the  community? 

4.  How  many  of  the  young  people  are  Church  mem- 
bers ?     What  proportion  attend  ? 

5.  What  societies  for  young  people  has  the  Church? 
For  boys?  For  Girls?  For  young  men?  For  young 
women?     For  young  men  and  young  women  together? 

6.  How  often  do  these  hold  religious  meetings  ?  Social 
meetings  ? 

7.  How  many  adults  are  actively  interested  in  work 
with  young  people? 

8.  Are  there  adult  individuals  in  the  community  who 
could  be  induced  to  lead  activities  for  young  people? 

9.  Is  there  any  training  in  community  service? 

10.  What  noticeable  needs  of  young  people  are  not  met 
in  the  community? 

THE    COMMUNITY   IN    GENERAL. 

1.  What  opportunities  to  earn  a  living  does  your  com- 
munity offer  to  its  educated  young  people? 

2.  Are  there  any  marked  forms  of  disorder  among  the 
young  people  of  the  community? 

3.  What  corrupting  agencies  are  at  work? 

4.  Are  the  homes  in  the  community  adequate  for  the 
social  meetings  of  the  young  people?  Are  there  frequent 
social  gatherings  in  the  homes? 

5.  What  organizations  minister  to  the  social  life  of  the 
young  people? 

G.  Does  the  community  offer  opportunities  to  the  young 
people  in  the  way  of  study  classes,  lecture  courses,  etc.? 
Make  a  list  of  them. 

72 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

7.  Is  there  any  sentiment  in  favor  of  adequate  educa- 
tion  for  young  people — a  "get  an  education"   movement? 

8.  Does  the  Church  co-operate  with  other  community 
agencies  for  betterment  ?  With  Health  Department  ?  With 
Charities?  With  temperance  organizations?  With  hous- 
ing commissions? 

9.  Is  there  any  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  Church 
to  initiate  new  betterment  movements? 

10.  Does  the  district  offer  Summer  Conference  oppor- 
tunities ? 

RECREATION. 

1.  What  are  the  most  popular  forms  of  recreation  in 
the  community? 

2.  Which  are  commercial?     Which  are  society? 

3.  What  agencies  are  providing  recreation  for  the 
people  without  private  profit? 

4.  Does  the  community  permit  Sunday  baseball  with 
admission   fee?      Sunday   organized   play   without  charge? 

5.  Is  there  a  public  playground?  Ball  field?  Is  the 
play  supervised? 

6.  Is  there  a  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  at 
work  in  the  locality?  A  Young  Women's  Christian  As- 
sociation?     What    forms   of   recreation   do   these   provide? 

7.  Where  do  men  and  boys  meet  regularly  without 
formal  appointment? 

8.  Do  the  parents  in  the  community  give  their  boys 
regular  time  off  for  play? 

9.  How  many  young  people  take  their  recreation  out- 
side the  communitj7? 

10.  How  do  the  young  people  spend  their  Sundays 
besides  going  to  Church?     Is  any  change  needed? 

11.  What  proportion  of  social  gatherings  are  held  in 
the  homes  of  the  community  ? 

12.  What  games  are  provided  in  the  homes  of  the 
community  ? 

13.  Do  the  Churches  hold  socials ?  Suppers?  Picnics? 
Are  these  free,  or  to  raise  money? 

14.  How  generally  do  the  people  of  the  community 
attend  ? 

73 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

15.  Name  the  social  or  literary  clubs  of  the  community. 
Give  purpose  and  function  of  each. 

1G.  What  events  bring  the  whole  community  together 
and  secure  general  acquaintance? 

17.  What  public  tasks  that  need  doing  could  be  per- 
formed by  a  "bee"  or  "frolic"  with  good  results? 

Making  Use  of  the  Facts. 

The  two  lists  of  questions  given  in  the  preceding  pages 
are  in  some  sort  an  Epworth  League  Survey.  They  are  not 
painfully  scientific,  but  they  will  produce  a  great  mass  of 
information.      What  is  to  be  done  with  it? 

Front  the  force  to  the  field !  Ask  your  Chapter  what 
revelations  it  has  seen,  and  what  obligations  have  come  to 
the   surface. 

Then  work  out  a  policy,  a  program  to  include  the  work 
of  all  the  departments,  so  that  as  much  of  the  discovered 
need  is  provided  for  as  possible. 

To  get  these  facts  and  not  to  use  them  would  be  like 
getting  seed  corn  and  throwing  it  into  the  sewer. 

The  Test  of  the  League's  Permanence. 

Nobody  who  is  working  at  the  Epworth  League's  real 
business  has  time  to  consider  whether  the  League  has  or 
has  not  outlived  its  usefulness.  But  a  few  bystanders 
raise  the  question  occasionally,  and  some  of  them  pause 
for  a  reply. 

This  is  a  busy  time,  and  a  very  practical  time,  in  re- 
ligious circles.  The  Church  people  of  to-day  are  not  such 
worshipers  of  tradition  that  they  need  much  rebuke  on  that 
score.  They  are  familiar  with  the  scrap  heap,  and  not 
specially  reluctant  to  deposit  thereon  the  outworn  tools  of 
other  days. 

The  Epworth  League  has  outlived  its  usefulness  if  it 
is  not  rendering  a  present-day  service.  If  it  is  doing  its 
work  blunderingly,  or  with  less  efficiency  than  some  other 
institution  can  do  it,  its  end  is  near.  The  Church  will 
replace  it  with  the  more  effective  instrument. 

We  should  be  sorry  for  the  Epworth  League  if  we 
thought  the  Church  had  lost  faith  in  it,  but  we  should  not 

74 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY   IX   THE   LEADERS. 

be  alarmed  for  the  Church.     It  would  find  another  tool,  or 
make  one. 

All  this  is  beside  the  mark,  however.  The  Church  has 
not  lost  faith  in  the  League,  nor  has  it  found  that  the 
League's  work  can  be  better  done  by  some  other  agency. 
The  peculiar  training  the  League  provides  is  not  offered 
by  any  other  institution  of  the  Church,  and  can  not  be. 

Nevertheless,  League  workers  need  to  remember  always 
that  the  League  is  not  sacrosanct.  It  is  being  tested  con- 
stantly by  the  law  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest.  It  faces 
the  perpetual  question,  What  service  does  it  render? 

The  only  danger  which  threatens  the  League  is  from 
within,  that  it  shall  consider  itself  immortal.  If  any  Chap- 
ter is  no  more  of  use  to  the  Church,  it  may  not  complain 
that  its  kingdom  is  taken  from  it  and  given  to  another.  It 
does  not  "own"  anything.  It  has  not  even  a  ninety-nine 
year  lease  of  its  room. 

But  the  Chapter  which  is  making  full  proof  of  its 
ministry,  which  is  enlisting  and  training  and  educating  and 
thrusting  out  for  larger  service  those  young  people  whom 
the   Church   so   sorely   needs — why    should   it   be   anxious  ? 

And  the  Ep worth  League  has  thousands  of  such  Chap- 
ters. 

Way  for  the  Younger  ! 

Each  summer's  conventions  of  the  past  few  years  have 
proved  that  the  Epworth   League  is   renewing  itself. 

It  has  promoted  to  the  larger,  wider  work  of  the  Church 
a  multitude  of  trained  and  eager  Christians. 

Their  places  have  been  and  are  being  taken  by  a  host 
of  young  folk  who  were  born  after  the  Epworth  League 
began  and  are  now  in  the  full  strength  of  their  joyous 
youth. 

In  the  conventions  these  new  young  people  are  making 
themselves  felt.  They  are  better  equipped  intellectually 
than  the  first  generation — they  have  had  a  better  chance. 
Their  appetite  for  exact  and  definite  knowledge  concerning 
the  work  that  is  before  them  is  prodigious.  Their  desire 
to  do  constructive  things,  unselfish  things,  is  a  delight  to 
all  who  see  it. 

But  there  are  not  enough  of  them.     The  Churches  have 
75 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

great  numbers  of  other  youth.,  quite  as  capable,  (mite  as 
teachable,   quite   as   promising   in    every    way. 

Why  should  the  League  not  have  these  also?  They 
need  it,  it  needs  them.  They  are  at  the  heroic  age;  they 
need  only  to  see  an  heroic  opportunity. 

Not  good  times,  not  meaningless  "rallies,"  not  effer- 
vescent enthusiasm  that  evaporates  over  night,  but  the 
Christian  appeal  to  the  generous-hearted,  the  offer  of  a 
task  that  is  worth  while  and  not  too  easy;  that  must  be  our 
program  for  them.  And  we  must  find  them  a  place  in 
which  they  can  work. 

The  time  is  always  ripe  for  a  great  ingathering  of  the 
big  boys  and  girls,  to  renew  the  youth  of  the  League. 

Make  way  for  the  younger  ! 

Promoting  the  Graduate  Epworthians. 

What  shall  we  do  about  the  older  leaders  in  the  League  ? 

In  one  month  we  have  heard  of  active  workers,  mostly 

office-bearers,  who  are  forty,  fifty,  and  even  sixty  years  old. 

The   situation  is   described  in  a  personal  letter  which 

comes  from  one  of  the  League's  most  sympathetic  friends. 

And  in  this  letter  there  is  also  the  hint  of  a  remedy  well 

worth  trying: 

"Our  local  Chapter  has  had  perplexing  times. 
"Officers   who  have   been   in   the   League   for   ten, 
fifteen,  or  more  years,  by  desperate  effort  of  young 
folks,  were  not  re-elected. 

"The  young  President  came  in  to  see  me  not  long 
ago.  He  sees  the  harm  to  our  young  folk  in  the  keep- 
ing of  the  same  officers  in  forever-and-a-day.  He  sees 
the  harm  that  comes  in  elections  every  six  months. 
"In  his  talk  he  said  something  like  this:  'If  we 
could  have  officers  in  for  one  year,  with  the  under- 
standing that  they  are  not  to  be  re-elected,  we  would 
get  our  young  people  used  to  business  methods ;  they 
might  make  some  mistakes,  but  there  could  be  nothing 
serious  if  the  pastor  and  older  Christians  would  advise. 
In  each  department  we  could  be  educating  some  one 
for  the  next  chairman  of  that  department.  The  Presi- 
dent of  the  Chapter  could  be  made  one  of  the  Vice- 
70 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY   IN   THE   LEADERS. 

Presidents,  a  Vice-President  might  be  left  on  the  com- 
mittee. But  a  change  of  officers  creates  new  interest, 
draws  in  new  members,  and,  if  the  officers  of  this  year 
are  in  some  way  in  the  Cabinet  next  year,  we  get 
their   advice,   suggestions,   help.'  " 

The  trouble  is  not  personal.  It  is  not  ambition  seeking 
to  supplant  experience.  It  is  in  the  notion  that  League 
membership  is  a  perpetual  privilege. 

The  trouble  is  partly  outside  the  League.  If  the  local 
Church  will  understand  that  the  League's  training  is  for 
the  Church's  sake,  and  will  draft  the  more  mature  for  the 
larger  service  of  the  Church,  some  good  workers  will  drop 
the  active  work  of  the  League,  and  some  new  material  may 
be  brought  in. 

The  trouble  is  partly  inside  the  League.  If  members 
will  understand  that  they  are  in  the  League  for  the  sake 
of  a  more  definite  training  in  Christian  service,  and  will 
hold  themselves  ready  to  render  that  service  when  training 
years  are  done,  the  Church  will  find  places  and  work  for 
them,  and  the  League  will  be  able  to  train  a  new  generation 
of  young  folks. 

The  one  cure  for  a  belated  membership  in  the  League  is 
the  general  adoption  of  the  school  theory  of  League  life. 
For  every  real  school  has  two  great  days:  matriculation 
day,  when  it  enrolls  new  pupils,  and  graduation  day,  when 
it  sends  its  old  pupils  out  to  make  use  of  their  schooling. 

And,  in  spite  of  all  the  wistful  thoughts  of  Commence- 
ment time ;  in  spite  of  the  valedictorian's  voicing  of  the 
keen  regret  that  the  class  feels  in  leaving  the  haunts  of 
learning  and  the  scenes  of  schoolday  joys,  eve^body  knows 
that  graduation  is  not  humiliation.     It  is  promotion. 

The  Church  has  need  of  our  expert  Epworthians  in 
the  wider  fields  of  toil.  The  Church  has  need  that  its 
young  people  of  the  Junior  League  and  Sunday  school 
should  have  the  training  in  initiative,  responsibility,  and 
resourcefulness  which  the  League  provides.  If  we  can 
consider  the  League  as  a  school,  these  two  needs  will  be 
met. 

Now  then,  let  us  say  it  all  together:  "The  League  is  a 
school.     The  school  remains,  but  the  scholars  win  through 

77 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

to  promotion,  to  graduation  with  honors,  to  service  beyond 
the   school  walls.      And  this  is   as  it  should  he." 

The  Advantages  of  Imperfection. 

"I  like  an  imperfect  League  meeting,"  said  a  man  who 
is  no  longer  of  League  age. 

"I  like  it  because  it  is  imperfect.  These  ideal  meetings, 
in  which  somebody  pumps  perfectly  good  religious  senti- 
ments into  a  lot  of  cramped  minds,  leave  all  but  the  leader 
in  a  state  of  stuffed  repletion. 

"Give  me  a  meeting  where  the  young  people  use  in- 
different rhetoric,  and  get  their  metaphors  mixed,  and  quote 
inappropriate  Scripture,  and  talk  an  unreasonable  theology, 
and  stammer  out  their  determination  to  be  loyal  to  Christ. 

"The  League  is  a  school.  Therefore,  it  has  its  stu- 
pidities, its  poor  recitations,  its  blunders,  its  wild  guesses 
at  truth,  its  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  its  informalities  and  in- 
accuracies and  vaguenesses. 

"And  I  like  to  see  a  school  at  work.  But  if  it  pro- 
fessed to  be  a  parliament,  or  wanted  Commencement  ora- 
tions every  week,  or  had  more  teachers  than  pupils,  or 
expected  its  pupils  to  do  nothing  but  listen,  I  should  n't 
enjoy  it." 

No  Epworth  League  Chapter  needs  to  become  slovenly 
because  of  what  this  observant  man  says.  But  is  n't  he 
almost  half  right?  After  all,  what  would  a  flawless  Chapter 
mean,  except  that  several  promotions  were  overdue? 

If  a  League  Chapter  can  help  its  members  to  keep  alive 
and  vigorous  the  flame  of  personal  devotion  to  Jesus  Christ, 
and  give  them  a  little  understanding  and  a  sense  of  personal 
concern  as  to  evangelism  and  missions  and  social  service 
and  wholesome  recreation,  it  has  done  all  that  it  is  called 
upon  to  do.  The  Church,  for  its  larger  needs,  should  have 
these  workers  when  their  training  has  gone  thus  far. 

Then  you  can  invite  recruits  into  the  League,  and  may 
expect  them  to  accept  your  invitation ! 

League   Growth   from   Below   and  Within. 
When  somebody  says  that  the  Epworth  League  has  seen 
its  best  days,  tell  him  this:     The  Epworth  League  was  not 

78 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY   IN   THE   LEADERS. 

invented ;  it  was  made,  for  their  own  needs,  by  the  young 
people  of  the  Church,  under  circumstances  that  gave  the 
word  "providential"  real  meaning. 

They  ran  it  at  the  beginning,  and  they  run  it  now. 
They  can  make  it  what  they  will. 

And  they  will  make  it  always  better  and  more  fitted 
to  its  work,  because  the  Church's  young  people  of  to-day 
are  better,  clearer-visioned,  more  broadminded,  more  re- 
sponsive to  the  Christ-call,  more  eager  to  serve,  than  the 
young  people  of  twenty-five  years  ago. 

Until  the  Church  loses  ground  so  far  that  it  produces 
an  inferior  sort  of  young  people,  until  the  magnetism  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  young  life  loses  its  tractive  power,  the 
Epworth  League  will  not  have  come  on  its  second-best  days. 

Changes?  Of  course.  Yes,  indeed.  The  young  people 
will  change  the  League's  plans,  often.  They  have  changed 
them. 

For  instance,  the  Board  of  Control  is  too  wise  a  body 
of  men  to  think  that  any  modifying  of  the  League  scheme 
is  the  wisdom  of  a  group  of  men  talking  together  for  two 
days  in  a  Church  parlor. 

In  1913  the  young  people  of  the  Church  were  doing 
social  service,  and  liking  it,  and  wanting  to  do  more. 

In  1913  the  young  people  of  the  Church  were  getting 
a  bigger,  clearer  notion  of  recreation  and  what  it  meant. 

And  so  the  Board  changed  the  Constitution.  But  the 
Board  didn't  evolve  the  changes.     It  just  registered  them! 

In  a  word,  this  Epworth  League  is  the  young  people 
of  a  great  Church  working  out  their  life  ideas  and  ideals. 

They  get  all  sorts  of  help  from  pastors  and  bishops 
and  secretaries,  and  are  glad  of  it. 

But  if  these  young  people  were  not  religiously  alive 
and  dynamic,  not  all  the  bishops  and  pastors  and  secretaries 
together  could  tell  the  League  how  and  where  to  go,  or, 
indeed,  get  it  to  go  at  all. 

Few  Desertions  in  War  Time. 
Desertion  is  a  disease  of  the  barracks,  not  of  the  firing 
line.     Army  officers  say  that  the  sure  way  to  stop  desertions 
would  be  to  go  to  war. 

79 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Too  great  a  price,  that,  for  preserving  the  esprit  dc 
corps  of  the  United  States  army ;  and  yet  the  officers  speak 
truth.  Desertion  in  the  face  of  the  enemy  is  a  rare 
disease.  Men  are  not  afraid  to  fight,  but  many  of  them 
can  not  endure  the  monotonous  round  of  meaningless  motion 
on  the  parade  ground. 

The  Epworth  League  knows  how  this  bit  of  human 
nature  works  among  the  young  people.  Let  some  enterprise 
be  set  afoot,  even  though  it  be  so  slight  a  matter  as  a  mem- 
bership contest,  and  how  the  lines  straighten  up !  Every- 
body works,  and  everybody  is  eager,  for  it  is  possible  to 
record  progress  and  to  realize  that  something  is  really 
being  done. 

But  most  membership  contests  are  followed  by  unhappy 
reaction.  After  the  "banquet,"  in  which  the  Reds  and  Blues 
have  complimented  each  other  more  or  less  heartily,  a 
period  of  low  vitality  ensues.  Everything  slumps.  Every- 
body relaxes.  The  work  drags.  And  then  the  desertions 
begin,  sometimes  without  check  until  all  the  gain  of  the 
contest  has  been  lost,  and  more. 

If  you  seek  the  reason  for  these  desertions  you  will 
shortly  find  a  young  person  who  will  say,  frankly,  "I  quit 
because  there  was  nothing  doing!" 

An  Epworth  League  Chapter,  like  a  bicycle  or  an  aero- 
plane, to  keep  up  must  keep  going.  It  was  not  meant  to 
be  stationary,  and  it  can  not  be  at  once  stationary  and  suc- 
cessful. 

The  young  people  desire  activity,  and  they  need  it. 
They  will  not  stay  where  stagnation  is. 

But  also  they  ask  for  justifiable  activity.  They  must 
have  their  drill  mixed  with  deeds.  They  do  not  care  to 
play  at  Christian  service,  to  talk  endlessly  about  it  without 
doing  any  of  it.  In  a  word,  if  they  are  never  led  out  of 
the  barracks  they  will  abandon  the  barracks  to  the  leaders 
who  do  not  lead. 

Not  always  do  Epworthians  know  what  to  do,  but  that 
is  not  mortal  sin.  It  is  rather  the  opportunity  for  a  tactful 
pastor,  an  alert  President,  a  wise  Cabinet.  The  avenues 
of  League  usefulness  are  so  many  that  there  need  be  no 
lack  of  variety  or  reality  in  the  service.     Every  Chapter 

80 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN   THE  LEADERS. 

has  latent  ability  enough  for  the  doing  of  whatever  needs 
to  be  done  in  its  field. 

It  is  useless  to  complain  about  want  of  interest,  or  to 
scold  for  lack  of  loyalty.  Get  your  Chapter  into  real  and 
resultful  action,  and  desertions  will  cease.  More  than  that, 
new  enlistments  will  begin. 

The  Ability  to  Start  Something. 

The  Epworth  League  has  this  distinction  among  re- 
ligious organizations  for  young  people :  it  develops  initiative. 

What  is  that? 

It  is  the  ability  to  do  things  without  being  pushed, 
coached,  coaxed,  or  bribed. 

It  is  the  power  to  take  a  suggestion,  turn  it  inside  out, 
cut  off  the  end  of  it  and  splice  that  to  the  beginning  of  it, 
give  the  whole  thing  a  new  complexion  and  a  new  direc- 
tion, and  win  through  with  it  to  a  desired  result. 

It  is  the  capacity  which  makes  precedents  when  it  can't 
find  any,  or  repeals  them  when  they  are  in  the  way,  be- 
cause it  means  to  start  something  whether  something  was 
ever  started  just  that  fashion  before  or  not. 

Initiative  is  more  interested  in  putting  forces  in  motion 
than  in  discussing  why  they  do  n't  move  as  they  did  in  the 
old  days. 

Initiative  is  not  always  infallible.  Some  people  are 
always  starting  what  they  can't  finish,  or  they  lose  interest 
about  the  fifth  inning  and  let  the  other  team  win  the  game 
by  the  simple  method  that  prosperous  bill-posters  have 
found  useful. 

But  there  's  so  great  need  of  initiative  that  we  could 
afford  to  have  a  few  starters  who  soon  quit  in  exchange 
for  a  lot  of  quitters  who  never  start. 

And,  last  of  all,  initiative  puts  the  man  above  the 
method. 

Where  there  is  no  initiative,  there  must  be  a  method,  or 
nothing  can  be  done,  of  course.  But  if  you  can  find  a 
"who,"  he  will  promptly  take  his  first  letter,  put  it  after 
his  last,  and  make  a  "how"  out  of  his  own  personality. 
He  invents  his  own  methods. 
6  81 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Plenty  of  other  organizations  have  some  of  the  Ep- 
worth  League's  methods  and  plans.  But  none  of  them 
demands  and  encourages  so  much  this  power  of  initiative. 
And  no  human  power  is  needed  in  the  Church  to-day  as  is 
this  same  power  to  get  things  done  without  red  tape  or  a 
Constitutional  amendment. 

We  are  not  so  sure  about  the  referendum,  but  we  are 
dead  certain  that  the  sort  of  initiative  here  described  is 
greatly  needed  all  over  this  broad  and  lengthy  land. 

The  Four  League  Vices. 

There  is  a  fifth,  which  deals  with  the  other  four.  With- 
out it  they  would  not  exist. 

The  fifth  vice  is  a  verbal  one,  and  not  a  hanging  matter 
at  all.  But  it  is  hopelessly  infelicitous,  and  has  a  hint  of 
laziness  about  it.     So  it  ought  to  be  cured,  if  it  can  be. 

It  is  the  trick  of  referring  to  the  department  leaders 
of  the  League  as  "the  first  vice,"  "the  second  vice,"  "the 
third  vice,"  "the  fourth  vice." 

But  the  Epworth  League  has  no  room  for  vices,  even 
of  the  verbal  sort. 

"Vice-president"  takes  a  little  more  breath  to  its  say- 
ing, and  a  little  more  ink  to  its  writing. 

Nevertheless,  who  would  want  to  be  thought  a  "vice," 
which  is  unpleasant,  when  really  he  is  a  "vice-president," 
which  is  honorable  among  all  men,  and  may  be  highly 
useful, — a  quality  no  vice  ever  had ! 

Let  us  make  the  vice  a  virtue,  by  adding  to  it  a  presi- 
dent. 

Efficiency  Hints  for  Cabinet  and  Chapter. 

If  a  Chapter's  habits  need  improving,  change  its  ac- 
tivities. 

The  Chapter  which  does  n't  deliver  the  goods  ought  not 
to  expect  that  it  can  collect  the  bills. 

A  religious  hurry  is  as  likely  as  any  other  to  spoil  the 
job.     Give  your  League  work  time. 

Tell  your  Epworth  League  methods  to  some  other 
worker,  and  they  will  at  once  become  worth  more  to  your- 
self. 

82 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN   THE  LEADERS. 

In  the  task  of  reviving  your  Chapter,  do  n't  try  to 
make  over  every  department  at  once.  Begin  with  one,  and 
let  everybody  concentrate  for  a  while  on  developing  that. 

A  man  in  a  motor-boat  was  troubled  because  he  could  n't 
make  headway,  until  he  remembered  that  he  had  n't  pulled 
up  his  anchor.  There  are  Epworth  League  Chapters  like 
that. 

There  are  cranks  and  cranks.  Maybe  your  Chapter 
needs  a  crank — a  dreamer,  an  innovator,  a  breaker  of  new 
paths.  The  power  of  a  crank  comes  from  its  being  ec- 
centric— off  the  center. 

Mince-pie  is  more  than  ingredients,  but  when  you  im- 
prove the  ingredients  you  improve  your  chances  of  getting 
a  better  pie.  Get  the  best  material  for  the  devotional  meet- 
ing that  you  can  find. 

The  little  things  count  in  League  work.  Topic  cards 
neatly  printed,  a  word  fitly  spoken,  a  bit  of  inexpensive 
thoughtfulness,  a  show  of  genuine  interest — all  these  are 
profitable  out  of  all  proportion  to  their  cost. 

Epworth  League  education  is  like  any  other;  the  best 
part  of  it  comes  through  trying  to  do  something,  and  not 
doing  it  very  well,  either.  So  do  n't  be  too  critical  of  the 
visible  results.  The  invisible  results  are  the  ones  that 
count. 

Since  there's  only  one  kind  of  people,  "just  folks," 
would  n't  it  be  worth  while  to  ask  seriously  why  the  Ep- 
worth League  succeeds  among  one  group  of  young  people 
and  fails  less  than  five  miles  away? 

If  the  Epworth  League  could  use  all  the  wisdom  of 
all  its  members  since  the  beginning,  what  a  wise  organiza- 
tion it  would  be!  But  how  much  of  the  joy  of  learning 
in  the  school  of  hard  knocks  each  League  generations  would 
miss ! 

When  all  the  Chapter's  eggs  are  in  one  basket,  tin- 
League's  future  is  in  danger,  even  though  the  basket  be 
the  devotional  meeting.  The  League  is  a  training  school 
in  the  art  of  watching  more  than  one  basket  at  once. 

A  League  budget  will  teach  every  Cabinet  officer  the 
value  of  money,  and  keep  expenses  somewhere  within  rifle- 

83 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

shot  of  income.  Give  it  a  trial  and  be  convinced,  as  the 
soap  ads  say. 

How  well  do  your  Vice-Presidents  know  the  actual 
capacity  of  their  helpers?  There's  a  world  of  ability  not 
yet  discovered   in   every   Chapter. 

A  farm  paper  says  that  a  good  horse  can  be  spoiled 
by  being  worked  with  a  team-mate  of  a  different  length 
of  step.  Every  League  Chapter  knows  that  it  is  true  with 
young  folks. 

"A  lazy  man,"  says  a  Kansas  editor,  "will  take  any 
kind  of  a  job  he  can't  get."  Did  you  ever  hear  of  an 
Epworthian  who  was  willing  to  take  any  office  except  that 
he  was  asked  to  fill? 

Plan  no  more  for  your  Chapter  next  year  than  you 
can  do ;  but  there  's  no  use  in  discounting  your  own  ability. 
You  can  do  more  than  some  people  think.  Do  n't  let  them 
make  your  program. 

Lunches,  suppers,  dinners,  banquets,  are  all  worth  using 
for  the  sake  of  getting  people  together  in  the  breaking  of 
bread.  But  they  are  most  successful  when  the  other  busi- 
ness grips  people  until  they  are  too  interested  to  eat. 

A  contest  has  its  good  features,  but  it  stimulates  some 
activities  that  are  not  necessary,  and  appeals  to  some 
motives  that  are  not  advertised  on  the  program. 

If  you  can  run  the  Chapter  better  than  the  President 
is  doing  it,  you  will  have  the  chance  some  day.  But  for 
to-day,  stand  by  and  help ! 

The  Cabinet  officer  who  won't  train  somebody  to  do  his 
work  for  fear  of  losing  his  own  office  may  save  his  office, 
but  he  has  robbed  the  Chapter. 

Do  too  much  for  the  young  folks  and  they  will  do 
nothing  for  themselves.  In  the  League  they  learn  a  little 
resourcefulness  by  being  given  a  little  rope. 

It  is  not  a  sin  to  make  the  League  room  cheerful. 

The  League's  work  sometimes  appears  to  lack  variety, 
but  one  Chapter  we  know  of  helps  to  support  a  missionary 
in  Java,  another  organizes  its  Junior  boys  into  a  Scout 
patrol,  one  makes  its  devotional  meetings  broadly  educa- 
tional, another  makes  extra  money  by  selling  kodak  pic- 
tures, and  yet  another  maintains  a  fine  tennis  court.     The 

84 


WORKING  EFFICIENCY  IN  THE  LEADERS. 

interesting  thing  about  this  variety,  too,  is  that  practically 
all  of  it  is  within  the  reach  of  any  Chapter  with  the  right 
sort  of  energy  and  initiative. 

I  f  you  have  somebody  in  your  Church  who  does  n't 
believe  in  the  League,   elect  somebody  else   as   President. 

The  Epworth  League  does  n't  appeal  to  a  group  of 
young  people,  but  to  all  the  young  people  of  the  Church. 

Dimes  from  dues  are  better  than  dollars  from  doubtful 
entertainments. 

Do  not  hold  a  social  for  money-raising  purposes  alone, 
unless  it  is  absolutely  necessary.  And  it  is  never  abso- 
lutely necessary. 

That  experimental  Chapter  which  we  are  going  to  enlist 
one  of  these  days  will  never  begin  work  on  any  new  plan 
until  it  has  answered  three  questions :  Is  it  needed  ?  Should 
we  use  it?     Is  there  a  better  way? 

The  Chapter  that  can  do  three  things  at  a  time,  and 
do  them  well,  might  make  a  sorry  failure  of  five. 

If  there  are  factions  in  your  Chapter,  somebody  start 
something  big  enough  to  use  the  abilities  of  every  member 
on  the  roll.     Then  you  may  have  a  merger  of  factions. 

Eliminate  jumping-jack  activities  from  your  Chapter. 
Up-and-down  motion  is  lost  motion,  and  self-respecting 
young  folks  know  it. 

The  Chapter  which  can  have  a  successful  membership 
contest  does  n't  need  it. 

When  a  Chapter  thinks  itself  bigger  than  the  Church 
it  is  time  to  magnify  the  Church. 

The  Chapter  that  is  glad  to  give  its  expert  members 
to  the  Church  for  larger  tasks  will  always  have  plenty 
of  experts  left  for  its  own  work. 

Surplus  members  ought  not  to  be  treated  as  suckers 
are  in  a  blackberry  patch,  as  though  they  were  weeds. 
Give  them  a  place  and  room  to  grow. 

The  best  cure  for  a  tired  business  meeting  is  a  dose  of 
actual  business. 

The  Chapter  that  does  most  with  its  own  resources  is 
in  best  condition  to  make  use  of  outside  help. 

The   Cabinet   meeting   is    worth   all   it   costs   if   it   dors 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

nothing  but  discover,  when  it  looks  over  the  League's  ma- 
chinery, what  rejDairs  are  necessary. 

Make  your  members  travel.  Do  n't  keep  them  serving 
in  one  department  all  the  time.  They  are  entitled  to  a 
symmetrical  training. 

It  is  amazing  what  a  change  comes  over  a  Chapter  when 
it  has  something  definite  to  do. 

It  is  less  important  to  get  all  the  young  folks  into  the 
League  than  it  is  to  get  them  to  want  to  be  in  it. 

The  new  Epworthian's  value  to  the  League  begins  when 
he  says  "our  Chapter"  instead  of  "your  Chapter." 

There  are  automatic  presses  and  self-acting  sewing  ma- 
chines, but  the  Epworth  League  Chapter  that  runs  without 
watching  always  run  away,  and  often  smashes  something. 

After  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  begins  to  produce 
a  few  trained  and  earnest  young  Christians,  the  question 
of  disposing  of  the  output  becomes  important.  For,  you 
see,  it  must  be  disposed  of.  No  factory  would  last  long 
that  did  n't  find  a  market  for  its  product. 

The  quickest  and  most  profitable  way  to  use  sensible 
Epworthians  who  have  had  some  training  in  leadership  is 
to  give  them  work  in  the  Sunday  school  or  the  Junior 
League. 

League  weather  note :  About  three  months  after  the  In- 
stitute, look  out  for  light  frosts.  They  will  do  no  harm 
unless  the  Chapter  has  a  northeast  exposure  to  the  chilling 
winds  of  criticism. 

The  wise  Chapter  grows  its  workers  instead  of  import- 
ing them. 

If  the  Chapter's  new  President  has  a  well-trained 
imagination,  his  lack  of  a  good  baritone  voice  may  be  over- 
looked. 

The  best  book  on  Epworth  League  methods  is  the  New 
Testament. 

Many  a  Chapter  does  good  work  with  material  that 
a  critical  Epworthian  would  consider  hopeless. 

Training  the  young  people  is  a  great  business.  And 
"doing"  is  the  best  training. 

Steady  work  proves  that  a  Chapter  has  passed  the 
8G 


WORKING   EFFICIENCY   IN    THE  LEADERS. 

enthusiasm  stage.  Some  Chapters  effervesce  and  then 
evaporate. 

"Wasn't  that  a  clever  ad?"  "Yes,  perhaps;  but  what 
did  it  advertise?"  Put  your  League  achievements  to  that 
test. 

Many  an  Epworthian  who  seems  slow  and  indifferent 
merely  needs  the  spur  of  responsibility.  Give  him  some- 
thing to  do. 

When  the  General  Apathy  becomes  the  commanding  of- 
ficer of  a  League  Chapter,  lie  invites  General  Debility  to 
share  his  command. 

"Can't  do  anything  in  summer"  is  a  popular  remark 
among  the  members  of  the  excuse  club  in  a  Chapter  not 
far  from  Chicago,  and  in  another  near  New  York. 

When  a  Cabinet  officer  thinks  that  the  Chapter  can't 
get  along  without  him,  it  is  time  for  another  election,  no 
matter  what  the  Constitution  says. 

"There  is  no  difficulty,"  said  a  man  of  experience  the 
other  day,  "in  finding  plenty  of  members  in  every  Church 
who  will  talk  about  work,  suggest  work,  and  even  start 
work;  but  there  is  a  plentiful  lack  of  people  who  just  work 
and  keep  on  working."  The  need  of  every  Church  to-day 
is  young  people  in  its  membership  who  will  "just  work 
and  keep  on  working."  Are  we  helping  to  fill  that  need, 
or  do  we  belong  to  the  talkers,  starters,  suggesters — and 
shirkers? 

To  break  the  grip  of  custom:  Make  it  a  rule  in  your 
Chapter,  when  anybody  says,  "That  is  the  way  we  have 
always  done  it,"  to  do  it  some  other  way.  Custom  is  good 
until  it  becomes  binding.  Then  it  impedes  the  circulation 
of  ideas. 

The  Chapter  Jhat  pays  no  attention  to  its  younger  mem- 
bers need  not  worry  about  its  future.     There  won't  be  any. 

Anybody  can  run  a  successful  Chapter.  It  is  making 
the  unsuccessful  Chapter  successful  that  takes  brains  and 
devotion. 

You've  just  been  elected  to  a  place  in  your  Chapter 
Cabinet?  Then  know  that  the  new  way  of  spelling  "office" 
is   "opportunity." 

In  any  Chapter  there  are  people  with  aptitudes.     Mod- 

87 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

era  efficiency  says,  "Find  the  apt  man  and  set  him  to  doing 
what  he  can  do  better  than  the  man  who  is  n't  apt  in  that 
particular  work." 

I  f  we  could  convince  some  people  that  there  's  actually 
more  fun  in  doing  a  good  piece  of  League  work  than  in 
just  muddling  it  through,  the  tasks  of  some  pastors  would 
he  wonderfully  lightened. 

Five  signs  of  a  Chapter's  prosperity:  Team-work  in 
and  between  the  departments ;  vitality  in  the  devotional 
meeting;  study-classes  that  study;  a  business  meeting  that 
does  real  business ;  offices  held  by  the  younger  members, 
and  few  re-elections. 

If  there  's  any  royal  road  to  a  larger  League  member- 
ship, it  is  by  the  way  of  finding  worth-while  things  for 
new  members  to  do. 

Study  your  League  roll,  not  to  see  how  many  you  may 
cut  off,  but  to  discover  how  many  you  can  keep  on  if  you 
try  hard  enough. 

Another  hour  given  to  the  perfecting  of  your  plans  for 
the  new  League  enterprise  may  make  all  the  difference 
between  triumph  and  humiliation. 

Many  a  League  Chapter  has  disbanded  for  want  of  the 
thing  that  makes  the  bill-poster  prosperous.  His  business 
is  to  stick. 


88 


CHAPTER  VI 

THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

The  best  thing  about  the  Epworth  League  is  its  weekly 
meeting  for  worship  and  fellowship.  We  have  become  so 
entirely  accustomed  to  it  that  its  high  usefulness  is  some- 
times overlooked  just  because  the  meeting  is  taken  for 
granted.  But  it  is  a  wonderful  thing,  when  you  consider 
it  carefully,  that  the  young  people  should  have  maintained 
this  meeting  all  these  years  and  that,  whatever  else  of 
League  work  is  abandoned,  so  long  as  a  Chapter  has  life 
at  all  it  maintains  the  weekly  devotional  meeting. 

The  reason  for  these  facts  is  not  far  to  seek.  The 
young  people  of  Methodism  find  in  this  meeting  oppor- 
tunity for  supplying  four  great  needs :  the  need  of  worship, 
the  need  of  inspiration,  the  need  of  education,  and  the  need 
of  service.  In  the  devotional  meeting  these  elemental  de- 
mands of  young  life  are  in  larger  or  smaller  measure  satis- 
fied. God  becomes  sensibly  near  and  gracious,  the  Chris- 
tian life  becomes  a  blessedly  alluring  state,  intelligence  in 
the  things  that  accompany  salvation  is  developed,  and  multi- 
plied avenues  of  spiritual  and  practical  helpfulness  are 
opened  to  view. 

The  League's  devotional  meeting  differs  from  the  old- 
time  prayer-meeting  in  that  it  has  a  theme,  about  which  the 
leader  seeks  to  group  the  meeting's  prayer,  testimony,  song, 
exhortation,  and  invitation.  There  are  times  when  the  topic 
holds  the  meeting  in  too  rigid  a  grasp,  and  one  longs  for 
the  freedom  of  a  "social  meeting"  which  shall  be  like  the 
old-time  love-feast. 

But  for  the  most  part  the  topics  are  of  the  highest  use- 
fulness. They  encourage  and  sometimes  compel  definite 
thinking  on  definite  religious  themes.  They  make  it  difficult 
for  members  to  satisfy  easy  consciences  by  taking  pari   i:i 

89 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

slipshod  or  stereotyped  ways.  They  bring  before  the 
young  people  in  the  course  of  a  year  a  large  variety  of 
subjects,  and  invite  the  study  and  expression  of  personal 
Christian  experience  from  almost  every  conceivable  point 
of  view.  And  one  convincing  proof  of  the  usefulness  of 
the  topical  method  of  conducting  the  devotional  meeting 
is  found  in  the  fact  that  pastors  are  largely  adopting  that 
method  for  the  regular  Church  prayer-meeting.  Even  in 
Lhe  British  Wesley  an  Methodist  Church  the  class  leaders, 
who  have  been  supposed  to  be  the  least  yielding  in  their 
conservatism,  have  begun  to  use  topics,  sometimes  announc- 
ing them  months  ahead. 

The  Conduct  of  the  Meeting, 
a  talk  with  the  leader. 
There  are  four  great  divisions  of  the  leader's  work. 
Every  time  an  Epworthian  is  appointed  to  lead  the  devo- 
tional meeting  he  should  marshal  his  forces  as  indicated 
by  these  divisions.  For  the  sake  of  their  memory  value, 
the  key-words  of  the  divisions  may  be  given  thus:  Prepara- 
tion, Plan,  Progress,  Purpose.  And  there  are  three  words 
in  each  division,  as  shown  in  the  following  outline: 

The  Leader's  Twelve  Words 
[Early. 
Preparation-!  Independent. 
Intelligent. 
Definite. 
Plan-j  Co-operative. 
[Alluring. 
[Lead. 
Progress-!  Guide. 
1  Guard. 
Inspiration. 
Purpose-^  Concentration. 
Devotion. 

Three  things  are  to  be  done  in  the  Preparation  for  the 
devotional  meeting.     The  leader's  fitness  for  his  work  will 

90 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

be  demonstrated  as  much  by  his  quality  and  quantity  of  his 
preparation  as  by  any  one  thing. 

The  first  essential  of  the  leader's  preparation  is  that  it 
shall  be  early.  Sunday  afternoon  at  1.30  is  at  least  two 
weeks  too  late.  Many  a  leader  has  unhappy  memories  of 
the  Sunday  afternoon  immediately  preceding  the  meeting 
for  which  he  was  responsible.  He  had  been  to  Church 
and  had  come  home  to  a  good  dinner.  He  had  perhaps 
enjoyed  a  comfortable  after-dinner  nap.  Then  at  1.30  he 
awoke  to  the  appalling  consciousness  that  in  two  hours  he 
was  due  at  the  League  room  to  take  charge  of  the  service. 

The  first  thing  he  thought  of,  after  the  immediate  heart- 
sinking  had  somewhat  passed  away,  was  to  find  The  Ep- 
worih  Herald  with  its  notes  on  the  topic,  but  that  par- 
ticular number  was  two  weeks  old,  and  had  disappeared. 
The  next  expedient,  and  usually  a  successful  one,  was  to 
call  on  the  pastor  and  borrow  his  paper.  Many  a  pastor's 
file  is  only  half  complete  because  of  such  borrowings.  But, 
in  spite  of  having  the  paper,  the  meeting  is  so  imminent 
that  the  panic  feeling  is  in  the  air.  No  careful  reading 
of  the  notes  is  possible,  nor  any  ordered  search  for  other 
material  in  Bible  or  commentary.  It  is  always  easy  to 
identify  a  meeting  whose  leadership  began,  continued,  and 
ended  in  this  mood  of  panic,  due  to  the  late  beginning  of 
preparation. 

There  are  two  great  reasons  for  early  preparation.  One 
is  that  it  gives  time  for  the  fullest  possible  study,  and 
the  other  that  it  gives  opportunity  for  one's  own  daily 
experience  to  suggest,  as  it  inevitably  will,  a  large  number 
of  illustrative  and  suggestive  ideas  which  bear  on  the  theme. 
When  once  our  attention  is  centered  on  any  subject,  it 
seems  that  all  life,  both  our  own  and  the  world's,  begins 
to  make  contributions  to  that  subject.  But  all  this  is  a 
matter  of  time. 

Then,  if  the  leader  is  going  to  ask  any  people  to  help, 
as  he  will  if  he  is  wise,  he  must  give  them  as  much  time 
for  preparation  as  he  gives  himself. 

The  leader's  preparation  should  be  not  only  early,  but 
independent.  It  can  not  be  independent  without  being 
early,  but  it  may  easily  be   slavish,  no  matter  how   early 

01 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

it  is  begun.  There  is  an  abundance  of  helps  for  the  devo- 
tional meeting,  but  in  many  cases  these  helps  are  grossly 
misused.  They  are  not  meant  to  be  substitutes  for  the 
leader's  own  thinking,  nor  are  they  offered  as  crutches  to 
help  his  limping  feet  through  the  difficult  ways  of  the 
League  hour.  They  are  not  meant  to  be  taken  as  though 
they  were  food  for  the  sick  and  the  weak,  who  must  needs 
have  predigested  nourishment.  Least  of  all  are  they  to 
be  used  as  though  the  leader  were  merely  a  phonograph, 
able  to  say  over  and  over  again,  "I  have  been  very  busy 
this  week  and  have  not  had  much  time  to  prepare,  but  I 
have  found  something  in  The  Epworth  Herald  which  is  so 
much  better  than  anything  I  could  say  that  I  will  read 
that."  This  statement  is  doubly  unhappy;  besides  being 
a  confession  of  weakness  and  failure,  it  is  also  far  from 
being  true.  No  matter  how  forceful  or  brilliant  the  extract 
from  the  pajser  may  be,  it  is  in  every  case  less  desirable 
and  less  usable  for  the  particular  need  of  the  hour  than 
the  leader's  own  remarks,  however  imperfect  these  may 
seem. 

The  leader's  preparation  must  above  all  be  intelligent. 
This  might  seem  a  needless  caution,  but  long  experience 
has  shown  that  many  a  meeting  fails  because  the  leader 
has  not  distinctly  grasped  the  topic.  And  so  the  meeting 
flounders,  because  the  leader  flounders,  in  a  fog-bank  of 
vagueness  and  guesswork. 

One  Sunday  night  the  topic  was  "Cumberers  of  the 
Ground,"  and  the  Scripture  lesson,  the  story  of  the  barren 
fig  tree — "Cut  it  down;   why   cumberetli   it  the   ground?" 

The  leader  had  been  twice  misled,  once  by  the  similarity 
in  sound  between  words  which  have  no  kinship  of  meaning, 
and  once  by  that  snare  of  the  unwary,  the  Concordance. 
He  had  forgotten  that  the  Concordance,  even  when  used 
on  the  proper  words,  is  after  all  a  concordance  of  words 
only,  and  not  of  ideas. 

And  so,  when  a  reference  slip  was  handed  to  one  at- 
tendant at  that  meeting,  he  looked  up  the  Scripture,  and 
then,  to  save  a  greater  embarrassment,  he  lost  the  slip  so 
that  it  could  not  be  found  when  the  references  were  called 
for.     He  lost  it  because  the  meeting,  which  was  already 

92 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

vague  enough,  would  have  heen  entirety  disorganized  if  he 
had  read  the  extract  from  Isa.  1  :  8,  for  which  the  slip  called  ; 
— -"as  a  lodge  in  a  garden  of  cucumbers."  To  many  people 
that  would  have  been  an  accidental  bit  of  accuracy,  for  they 
consider  that  if  any  vegetable  is  a  cumberer  of  the  ground 
it  is  the  cucumber.  But  that  had  nothing  to  do  with  the 
topic. 

Let  the  leader  ask  himself  in  all  his  preliminary  survey 
of  his  material:  "Do  I  really  know  what  this  topic  means? 
Do  I  understand  its  whole  significance?  Do  I  see  its  bear- 
ing on  to-day's  life  and  to-day's  thinking?  Can  I  talk  about 
it  without  running  for  refuge  to  pious  platitudes  or  empty 
phrases  ?  Can  I  put  the  meaning  of  the  theme  into  clear, 
simple,  definite  language  of  my  own?" 

Now  comes  the  Plan  of  the  meeting.  It  must  needs 
be  considered,  of  course,  in  connection  with  the  prepara- 
tion. And  it  will  determine  at  many  points  the  kind  of 
preparation  to  be  made. 

First,  then,  the  plan  of  the  meeting  should  be  definite. 
A  leader  who  expects  to  accomplish  something  with  his 
single  hour  of  opportunity  must  marshal  his  material  and 
construct  an  outline  program  covering  the  sixty  minutes 
which  have  been  given  him. 

A  program  implies  a  point  of  departure,  a  direction  of 
movement,  and  a  point  of  arrival.  It  should  be  a  sort  of 
railway  schedule,  but  with  this  difference,  that  plenty  of 
opportunities  should  be  allowed  for  variations  and  stop- 
overs. If  a  leader  has  no  program,  he  will  be  at  the  mercy, 
at  some  point  of  the  meeting,  of  people  whose  intentions 
are  thoroughly  good,  but  whose  habit  of  religious  testimony 
is  so  fixed  that  it  can  not  adjust  itself  to  varying  themes. 

A  person  of  this  description  arises  in  nearly  e\rery  meet- 
ing, and,  instead  of  speaking  on  the  topic  of  the  evening, 
gives  a  rather  familiar  and  intensely  personal  bit  of  ex- 
perience. It  is  of  a  sort  that  has  been  heard  so  often  that 
it  starts  similar  mental  movements  in  other  persons.  The 
second  speaker  will  carry  the  subconscious  feeling  of  the 
meeting  a  little  further  from  the  appointed  subject  than 
the  first.     The  third  will  continue  the  process.     And  in  a 

93 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

few  moments  all  attention  to  the  topic  has  disappeared 
entirely  from  the  meeting. 

With  a  program  clearly  defined  in  the  leader's  mind, 
this  distraction  can  not  occur.  He  will  always  know  what 
lie  desires  to  do  next.  He  will  be  able  to  swing  the  testi- 
mony back  to  its  original  center.  He  can  permit  all  manner 
of  excursions  from  the  main  line  of  the  meeting's  thought 
because  he  has  something  to  come  back  to. 

Another  advantage  of  the  program  is  that  the  meeting 
will  have  proportion  and  balance.  It  will  not  spend  all 
the  time  on  a  single  and  subordinate  phase  of  the  subject. 
It  will  not  miss  connections  with  the  purpose  for  which  the 
meeting  is  called,  and  will  not  end  with  the  main  business 
of  the  evening  untouched  and  unreached.  The  leader  who 
has  a  program  which  progresses  logically  from  one  point 
to  the  next  will  be  spared  the  humiliation  of  ending  the 
meeting  up  in  the  air,  with  nothing  distinct  or  final  result- 
ing from  it,  and  no  complete  idea  to  be  carried  away  by 
those  who  have  been  present. 

The  second  element  in  the  plan  is  that  it  shall  be  co- 
operative. The  leader  is  only  the  leader.  He  is  not  the 
whole  meeting.  Moreover,  if  he  does  not  secure  followers, 
how  is  he  the  leader?  Every  meeting  should  have  some 
six  to  twenty  participants  whose  work  has  been  planned 
for  them  by  the  leader.  In  the  construction  of  his  program 
he  will  provide  that  certain  members  shall  read  the  lessons 
and  make  brief  comment  on  them,  that  others  shall  speak  for 
a  minute  each  on  some  element  of  the  evening's  theme, 
that  others  shall  present  striking  illustrations  which  throw 
light  upon  the  subject.  Still  others  will  refer  to  parallel 
Scriptures  and  their  significance,  while  as  a  rule  at  least 
half  a  dozen  may  be  assigned  simple  questions  for  study 
and  answer.  The  ways  of  providing  co-operation  are  in- 
numerable, and  the  value  of  it  is  beyond  question.  The 
more  people  who  can  be  enlisted  in  the  preparation  for 
the  meeting,  the  better  the  meeting  will  be,  and  the  better 
the  feeling  on  the  part  of  all  who  have  shared  in  it. 

This  co-operative  participation  reinforces  the  necessity 
for  an  early  start  in  planning  the  meeting.  It  is  not  only 
unfair,  but  almost  always  unsuccessful,  to  put  off  asking 

94 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

people  to  help  until  the  meeting  is  under  way.  A  leader 
who  must  announce  a  hymn  in  order  to  get  time  for  a  rapid 
journey  around  the  room  pleading  with  members  b}'  the 
way,  accomplishes  nothing  but  the  advertisement  of  his  own 
unreadiness. 

The  third  element  of  the  plan  is  that  it  must  be  alluring. 
A  very  large  part  of  the  meeting's  value  will  be  in  its 
power  to  capture  the  attention  of  those  who  have  not  been 
formally  invited  to  do  anything.  The  simplest  possible 
method  of  accomplishing  this  result,  if  plenty  of  co-opera- 
tion has  been  arranged  for  in  advance,  is  to  make  an  appeal 
through  the  eye  of  the  audience  as  well  as  through  its  ear. 
A  big  sheet  of  paper  or  a  blackboard,  with  questions  on 
the  topic  displayed  thereon,  will  do  more  to  hold  the  atten- 
tion of  the  meeting  to  the  leader  and  the  subject  than 
thirty  minutes  of  eloquence.  If  these  questions  are  put 
in  the  first  or  second  person,  and  phrased  with  a  certain 
amount  of  human  feeling,  they  will  go  far  towards  abolish- 
ing the  dismal  pauses  and  the  pointless  testimony  which 
spoil  so  many  meetings.  It  is  easy  for  people  to  take  part 
in  a  devotional  meeting  only  when  it  is  made  easy  for  them. 
The  thing  does  not  happen  of  its  own  accord.  It  is  won 
by  forehanded  and  intelligent  planning. 

The  third  great  word  of  the  meeting  is  Progress.  What 
about  the  actual  course  of  the  service?  What  shall  mark 
the  passing  of  the  sixty  minutes  between  6.30  and   7.30? 

The  words  that  answer  this  question  are  all  imperatives. 
The  first  is  Lead.  You  are  the  leader ;  do  you  be  the  leader. 
Retain  control  of  the  meeting  from  start  to  finish.  This 
does  not  mean  that  you  are  to  talk  all  the  time.  It  means 
rather  that  you  are  not  to  talk  very  much  any  of  the  time, 
but  that  your  words  are  to  furnish  the  thread  on  which 
all  the  other  words  of  the  meeting  are  strung.  If  at  any 
moment  you  surrender  control  of  the  meeting,  your  program 
is  also  surrendered,  and  the  meeting  is  at  the  mercy  of 
general  aimlessness.  Never  permit  yourself  to  make  the 
inane  and  untrue  announcement,  coupled  as  it  is  to  a  vain 
hope,  "The  meeting  is  now  in  your  hands;  I  trust  you  will 
not  let  the  time  go  to  waste." 

It  is  the  leader's  business  to  see  that  nothing  tliat  hap- 
95 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

pens  shall  defeat  the  purpose  of  the  meeting.  He  must 
be  able  to  relate  to  that  purpose  every  apparently  unre- 
lated thing  which  befalls.  If  it  has  no  application,  he  must 
make  one  for  it.  Especially  at  the  end  of  the  hour  is  it 
vital  that  the  leader  shall  indeed  be  the  leader.  All  the 
profit  of  the  meeting  depends  on  that.  It  is  better  to 
endure  a  leaderless  meeting  for  the  first  fifty-five  minutes 
than  to  suffer  a  meeting  to  be  leaderless  in  the  last  five 
minutes. 

Another  function  of  the  leader's  position  is  that  he  shall 
guard  the  meeting.  He  can  do  much  of  this  through  his 
preliminary  arrangements.  He  can  see  that  no  disturbing 
incidentals  are  provided  for.  He  can  make  sure  that  the 
special  music  shall  contribute  to  the  total  impression  rather 
than  weaken  it.  He  will  see  to  it  that  no  zealous  depart- 
mental officer  is  permitted  to  spoil  the  climax  of  the  im- 
pressive meeting  by  interjecting  the  announcement  of  a 
Poverty  Social  next  Friday  night. 

The  devotional  meeting  is  not  a  bulletin  board.  It  is 
not  its  chief  function  to  furnish  an  advertising  opportunity 
for  other  meetings  yet  to  come.  It  has  one  theme,  one 
direction,  one  goal.  The  leader  is  under  bond  to  see  that 
these  are  protected  from  irrelevant  material,  meaningless 
comment,  aimless  testimony,  and  pointless  sentiment. 

The  leader  is  not  only  to  guard  the  meeting;  he  is  to 
guide  the  meeting.  And  the  essence  of  perfect  guidance 
is  the  absence  of  all  mechanical  expedients  and  all  compul- 
sion. No  leader  who  guides  will  number  his  references,  for 
instance,  and  then  call  for  them  by  number.  He  will  put 
all  the  machinery  into  the  background.  He  will  pay  as 
much  attention  beforehand  to  the  mechanics  of  the  service 
as  the  choir  leader  does  in  rehearsal  to  the  technique  of  the 
anthem,  leaving  nothing  to  interfere  with  the  uplift  and 
inspiration  of  the  final  rendition.  He  will  arrange  that  the 
several  speakers  shall  do  their  part  with  little  or  no  an- 
nouncement. This  is  simple  enough  if  he  will  give  each 
one  his  cue.  And  that  is  not  deception.  It  is  the  elimina- 
tion of  everything  that  would  prevent  the  meeting  from 
going  straight  through  by  its  ordained  path  to  its  desired 
haven. 

96 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

We  have  gone  through  the  work  before  the  meeting  and 
during  the  meeting.  What  about  the  results  of  the  meet- 
ing? What  is  its  Purpose?  Without  a  definite  purpose 
it  is  of  no  large  significance. 

The  first  result  which  every  devotional  meeting  should 
produce  is  what  may  be  called,  for  want  of  a  better  word, 
inspiration.  That  is  to  say,  at  the  close  of  the  meeting 
everybody  ought  to  feel  that  it  has  been  a  really  good, 
wholesome,  spiritual  hour.  There  should  be  a  consciousness 
of  exaltation,  though  sometimes  not  so  marked  as  at  others. 
We  ought  to  go  away  from  the  devotional  meeting  feeling 
it  has  been  a  place  of  kindred  spirits  whose  fellowship  is 
all  the  richer  because  it  has  been  allied  to  worship. 

But  besides  inspiration,  there  must  be  in  the  aim  of  the 
meeting  a  certain  concentration.     Some  single  result,  sin- 
cerely desired  and  truly  worth  attaining,  ought  to  spring 
out  of  this  hour  of  consecration  and  serious  thought.     Very 
often  the  theme  of  the  meeting  will  suggest  what  this  defi- 
nite result  should  be.     A  class  of  one  sort  or  another  is  to 
be  organized,  or  an  enrollment  of  Christ  Stewards,  or  Com- 
rades   of   the    Morning   Watch,    or    personal    workers.      A 
moment  of  deep  and  searching  self-dedication  may  be  the 
meeting's  climax,  or,  what  is  quite  as  truly  religious,  a  gift 
to  some  significant  enterprise  of  the  Church  or  the  Chapter. 
The  possible  outcomes  of  League  meetings  are  multitudinous 
in  their  variety,  and  there  is   no  need  that  any  meeting 
should  fail  to  produce  at  least  one  bit  of  worth-while  fruit. 
Last  of  all,  perhaps  best  of  all,  the  purpose  of  the  devo- 
tional meeting  should  be  devotion.     It  is  in  essence  a  wor- 
ship meeting.     Its  origin  and  explanation  are  bound  up  in 
the  consciousness  that  the  members  have  come  together  to 
utilize  the  mystery  of  prayer.     They  do  not  use  prayer  as 
mere  spiritual  gymnastics,  or  merely  as  a  means  for  secur- 
ing the  things  they  desire.     But  they  should  saturate  the 
whole  meeting,  in  the  days  of  preparation  as  well  as  in  the 
hour  of  presentation,  with  the  spirit  of  prayer.     The  devo- 
tional element  in  the  devotional  meeting  ought  to  be  a  real 
communion  of  the  mind  and  heart  of  every  person  present 
with  the  mind  and  heart  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

V  07 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Some  Do  n'ts  About  Planning  the  Meeting. 

Do  n't  be  a  slave  to  any  program,  not  even  your  own. 
But  have  a  program,  so  that  you  will  know  where  the 
meeting  is  going,  and  why. 

Don't  put  items  into  your  program  just  because  you 
can.     If  they  do  n't  belong  to  the  theme,  leave  them  out. 

Do  n't  arrange  your  program  big  end  first.  Make  the 
last  five  minutes  the  most  important  five  minutes  of  the  hour. 

Do  n't  expect  people  to  take  part  intelligently  without 
giving  them  a  chance  to  think.  Therefore,  ask  them  before- 
hand. 

Do  n't  leave  the  selection  of  songs  to  the  chance  of  the 
moment  that  you  need  them.  Appropriate  songs  are  not 
chosen  that  way. 

Do  n't  ignore  those  who  do  not  often  take  part.  It  is 
some  trouble  to  induce  them  to  help,  but  there  is  large  profit 
in  it  for  them  and  you. 

Do  n't  make  a  program  like  everybody's  else.  Yours 
can  be  different  without  being  freakish. 

Do  n't  leave  out  the  leader's  ten  minutes.  No  one  else 
can   sound   so   effectively   the  keynote   of  the   meeting. 

D)o  n't  forget  that  you  are  planning  for  a  devotional 
meeting,  not  for  a  study  class  or  an  informal  lecture.  Put 
into  every  element  of  your  program  the  spirit  of  worship. 

Two  "Cans"  and  Two  "Wills." 

The  one  thing  which  the  average  devotional  meeting 
needs  is  not  better  members  nor  more  members,  nor  help 
from  outsiders,  but  a  simple,  positive  conviction,  which 
every  Chapter  can  make  a  part  of  its  consciousness. 

It  can  be  put  into  two  sentences:  "We  can  do  it  if  we 
will."     "We  can  do  it  and  we  will." 

The  regular  devotional  meeting  can  be  made  a  thousand 
per  cent  better  than  it  is  in  nearly  every  Chapter  by  a 
simple  working  out  of  these  two  sentences.  Any  Chapter 
can  have  variety  and  freshness  and  effectiveness  in  its 
devotional  meetings  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  it  has  had 
monotony  and  dullness  and  failure. 

And  the  very  same  people  who  have  been  in  the  Chapter 
up  to  this  moment  can  make  the  transformation.    They  need 

98 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

no  new  intelligence  and  no  new  equipment.  All  they  need 
is  to  believe  that  the  thing  can  be  done,  and  then  go  ahead 
and  do  it. 

Such  a  Chapter  will  abolish  the  Clipping  Habit,  will 
fill  up  the  long  pauses  that  make  everybody  uncomfortable, 
and  will  accomplish  in  the  devotional  meeting  and  through 
the  devotional  meeting  the  highest  results  that  can  be  de- 
sired. 

There  is  no  space  here  to  tell  in  detail  how  the  transfor- 
mation may  be  accomplished ;  but  "We  can  do  it  if  we  will," 
and  "We  can  do  it  and  we  will"  are  the  two  sides  of  a 
conviction  which  will  work  out  its  own  methods  and  provide 
its  own  material. 

All  this  does  not  exclude  the  spiritual  meaning  and 
atmosphere  of  the  devotional  meeting.  Rather,  it  makes  a 
higher  spiritual  life  possible  and  points  out  the  door  by 
which  any  Epworthian  may  find  his  way  into  the  secret 
of  spiritual  power. 

SCRAPPINESS    OR    LEADERSHIP. 

The  devotional  meeting  is  at  the  heart  of  the  Epworth 
League.  Its  possibilities  are  simply  unreckoned.  It  may 
be  made  a  power  in  the  Church  the  like  of  which  has  not 
been  felt  since  the  days  of  the  class-meeting's  prime.  Or 
it  may  be  a  medium  for  the  absolute  frittering  away  of 
every  spiritual  grace  and  potency  which  its  attendants 
possess. 

Apart  from  spiritual  deadness,  the  greatest  obstacle  to 
the  prosperity  and  power  of  the  devotional  meeting  is 
scrappiness.  One  verse  of  a  hymn,  two  lines  of  a  poem, 
a  string  of  more  or  less  related  "references,"  "sentence 
prayers" — as  though  prayers  could  be  measured  with  a  two- 
foot  rule — these  things  are  too  much  with  us.  Each  of 
them  is  right  and  good  in  its  way.  But  they  are  so  common 
that  they  have  fixed  a  type,  and  the  type  is  wholly  unde- 
sirable. 

The  "scrap"-meeting  method  is  easy.  Half  an  hour  is 
time  enough  to  prepare  for  its  leadership,  and  none  but  the 
leader  needs  to  make  the  slightest  preparation.  The  lead- 
er's requisites  are  enough  printed  helps,  a  Concordance,  a 

99 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

pair  of  scissors,  and  a  supply  of  paper  slips.  The  hymns 
need  not  bear  on  the  topic  at  all.  Half  a  dozen  will  be 
sung,  and  five  of  them  are  used  at  three  meetings  out  of 
every  four.  They  are  not  important,  for  their  words  long 
ago  ceased  to  have  any  meaning.  Some  of  them  had 
precious  little  to  begin  with. 

The  "scrap"-meeting  is  almost  wholly  a  failure.  One 
of  its  worst  effects  is  that  the  meeting  may  seem  to  have 
been  a  good  one.  The  singing  has  been  lively,  the  prayers 
numerous,  the  reading  of  references  prompt,  and  the  leader 
has  taken  up  as  much  time  as  usual. 

There  is  a  better  way.  It  is  not  so  easy.  No  better 
way  is.  It  depends  almost  wholly  on  the  leader.  It  re- 
quires study,  secret  prayer,  and  intelligent  planning  for 
the  meeting.  It  encourages  the  use  of  helps,  but  only  as 
helps.  The  leader  studies  his  material  instead  of  taking 
it  on  faith.  He  finds  the  center  of  the  theme  and  makes 
the  whole  meeting  bend  to  that.  He  selects  hymns  that 
fit  the  theme,  and  is  not  discouraged  if  some  of  them  are 
unfamiliar.  He  interprets  Scripture  by  Scripture.  In  his 
opening  address  he  indicates  what  he  considers  the  heart 
of  the  theme,  which  will  provide  a  subject  for  the  testimony 
service,  so  that  whoever  takes  part  in  that  exercise  must 
do  some  independent  thinking.  He  believes  in  intelligent 
and  vital  piety. 

This  better  method  has  not  quite  so  much  "go"  in  it, 
judging  by  surface  indications.  But  it  has  power  in  it,  and 
the  possibility  of  growth,  and  it  is  a  hint  at  the  real  object 
for  which  the  devotional  meeting  was  instituted. 

The  leader  of  the  devotional  meeting  has  a  great  oppor- 
tunity. For  the  space  of  half  an  hour,  more  or  less,  he  may 
speak  the  things  that  he  has  had  on.  his  heart. 

If  a  minister  is  under  obligation  to  study  his  sermon, 
the  obligation  of  the  Epworth  League  leader  is,  if  possible, 
more  insistent.  For  the  preacher  will  have  another  oppor- 
tunity next  Sunday.  He  may  expand  to-day's  sermon  into 
a  series.  He  has  abundant  means  of  modifying  what  he 
says,  or  of  deepening  its  impression,  or  of  controlling  its 
effects. 

But  in  most  cases  the  leader  has  only  one  arrow  in  his 

100 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

quiver.  He  has  a  single  hour  of  opportunity.  In  that  hour 
he  must  make  clear  the  meaning  and  the  teaching  of  the 
topic.  He  must  so  present  it  that  it  will  stimulate  thought, 
because  otherwise  the  testimonies  will  drag.  He  must  con- 
trol all  the  exercises  of  the  hour — singing,  prayer,  and  testi- 
mony— so  as  to  produce  the  effect  for  which  the  meeting 
was  designed. 

It  is  a  big  task.  It  can  not  be  done  well  by  one  who 
glances  at  The  Epworth  Herald's  devotional  page  or  the 
"Notes  on  the  Devotional  Meeting  Topics"  half  an  hour 
before  the  meeting.  It  can  not  be  done  well  by  one  whose 
chief  anxiety  is  to  "have  it  over."  It  takes  love  and  grace 
and  pains  and  patience. 

But  when  the  task  is  rightly  appreciated,  and  the  privi- 
lege of  it  is  fairly  estimated,  it  offers  a  priceless  oppor- 
tunity to  do  a  great  thing  in  a  great  way. 

A  School  for  Leaders. 

Leaders  of  the  devotional  meeting  are  made,  not  born. 
They  must  be  recruited,  enlisted,  trained,  drilled.  This  is 
the  First  Vice-President's  work.  If  he  will  make  it  his 
special  aim  to  secure  a  group  of  capable  and  effective  lead- 
ers among  the  hitherto  untrained  members  of  the  Chapter, 
he  can  make  his  term  of  office  a  great  and  lasting  benefit  to 
the  Chapter. 

There  is  not  much  opportunity  for  uniform  methods  in 
the  training  of  leaders.  The  conditions  vary  so  widely  that 
no  one  method  could  succeed  anywhere.  In  some  Chapters 
the  leaders  for  a  month  or  a  quarter  may  be  gathered  for 
a  conference  on  the  general  ways  and  means  of  leadership. 
In  others,  the  First  Vice-President  may  need  to  go  over  the 
preparation  for  each  meeting  with  the  several  leaders,  help- 
ing, suggesting,  supplementing  their  material  and  methods. 

A  Way  to  Magnify  the  Meeting. 
The    First    Vice-President   had    called    his    department 
committee  together  to  talk  with  the  leader  of  the  devotional 
meeting  of  four  weeks  hence.     He  had  already  talked  with 
all  the  committee  members  privately. 

101 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

"I  have  made  up  my  mind,"  said  he,  "that  we  are  ac- 
countable  for  the  devotional  meetings.  And  as  hefore  I 
asked  you  individually,  now  I  ask  you  collectively :  Are  you 
willing  to  take  up  the  work  of  helping  each  leader  in  turn  ? 
Of  course,  no  one  member  of  the  committee  will  be  asked 
to  help  every  week,  but  most  of  us  will  have  a  chance  once 
in  two  or  three  weeks." 

For  a  few  moments  all  the  committee  seemed  to  be 
talking  at  once.  And  the  composite  remark  seemed  to  be, 
boiled  down,  "Yes,  if  we  can  be  given  something  that  we 
really  can  do  without  having  to  make  ourselves  prominent 
in  the  meeting  itself  every  week." 

"That  can  be  done,"  said  the  First  Vice-President,  "by 
our  reminding  each  leader  that  we  are  to  help  him  or  her, 
not  to  take  the  meeting  into  our  own  hands." 

"Now,  I  have  already  outlined  my  suggestion.  We 
are  to  be  entirely  at  the  disposal  of  the  leader  in  charge 
of  any  particular  meeting.  He  is  to  ask  for  help;  we  are 
to  provide  it  to  the  full  measure  of  our  power." 

So  the  leader  assigned  for  the  meeting  of  the  last  Sun- 
day in  the  month  took  the  floor  and  outlined  his  plan. 
There  is  n't  room  here  to  tell  about  any  of  it  except  that 
which  relates  to  the  work  assigned  to  various  members  of 
the  committee. 

One  was  to  find  nine  members  of  the  Chapter  who  would 
tell  in  their  own  words  the  stories  referred  to  under  "Shep- 
herds, Hirelings,  or  Robbers,"  as  the  Scripture  lesson  was 
our  Lord's  talk  about  shepherds,  and  to  show  how  each 
character  could  be  classified. 

Another  agreed  to  find  three  members  who  would  give 
three  illustrative  ideas  "To  Light  Up  the  Theme,"  and  com- 
ment briefly  on  them. 

A  third  promised  to  bring  a  reader  who  would  repeat 
"De  Massa  ob  de  Sheepfol'." 

Number  four  was  assigned  the  duty  of  finding  five 
people  who  would  tackle  as  many  "Suggestive  Queries"  and 
start  discussion  on  them. 

The  leader  announced  that  he  would  read  the  Scripture 
lesson  and  make  it  the  basis  of  his  remarks  in  presenting 
the  topic. 

102 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

One  member  of  the  committee  raised  a  question:  "Sup- 
pose two  of  us,  or  three,  should  go  to  the  same  person  and 
ask  him  to  take  part?" 

The  First  Vice-President  smiled.  "That  is  quite  likely 
to  happen,"  he  said,  "but  it  will  do  no  harm.  Let  the  first 
finder  have  right  of  way.  The  others  will  seek  other  folks, 
but  each  will  also  have  impressed  the  importance  of  the 
meeting  on  the  mind  of  every  member  who  is  asked  twice." 

"Now  I  shall  have  time  to  arrange  my  program,"  said 
the  leader,  "and  the  only  other  thing  I  want  of  you  is  that 
each  one  here  will  be  ready  to  take  hold  in  the  testimony 
service  when  that  'awful  pause'  threatens." 

"It  won't  come,"  said  one  of  the  committee.  "But  if 
it  should  show  its  face  for  even  a  moment,  there  are  six  of 
us  here  who  can  put  it  to  flight  because  xve  shall  have  the 
meeting  on  our  hearts!" 

Testimony  in  the  Meeting, 
the  reasons  for  testimony. 

/  ought. — That  is  the  reason  of  duty.  The  story  of  our 
Lord's  work  for  men  is  spread  by  testimony  and  by  no 
other  way.  I  am  in  the  line  of  that  story's  progress.  It 
was  told  me,  and  worked  its  wondrous  change  in  me.  I 
dare  not  refuse  to  pass  it  on.  Some  one  is  waiting  to  hear 
it  from  my  lips,  with  my  experience  illustrating  it  and 
giving  it  new  proof.     So  I  am  bound  by  duty  to  testify. 

/  must. — That  is  the  reason  of  self-interest.  If  I  do 
not  tell  my  experience,  I  shall  lose  it.  He  who  would  keep 
the  joy  of  salvation  must  learn  the  joy  of  testimony.  If 
I  do  not  make  known  my  hopes,  they  will  vanish.  He  who 
would  live  with  Christ  hereafter  must  know  how  to  speak 
for  Christ  here.  "  Faith  can  not  live  in  an  atmosphere  of 
concealment;  the  hidden  disciple  is  the  lost  disciple.  If 
Jesus  Christ  is  so  precious  to  me  that  I  fear  to  lose  His 
gracious  influence  in  my  life,  there  is  one  way  to  prevent 
that  loss.     I  must  bear  testimony  to  Him. 

/  l0V€m — Testimony  that  is  given  only  from  duty  or  self- 
interest  is  not  complete.  The  great  motive  of  all  Christian 
service  is  not  force,  but  desire.      I  testify  because  I  love. 

103 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  love  of  Christ  to  me  is  greater  than  I  know,  but  it 
has  awakened  in  me  a  great  love  for  Him.  If  I  kept  silence 
I  should  give  the  lie  to  my  love.  For  I  know  that  His 
chief  joy  is  in  saving  the  lost.  So  testimony  becomes  a 
way  of  giving  joy  to  my  Lord,  by  convincing  men  that  He 
can  save  them. 

Then,  my  new  life  in  Christ  has  aroused  a  new  love 
for  men.  They  seem  so  much  more  worth  loving  now. 
And  I  know  how  great  a  calamity  threatens  them  if  they 
do  not  find  Christ.  I  have  been  delivered  from  that  danger, 
but  I  remember  still  how  real  and  terrible  it  is.  And  I 
know  that  I  can  not  testify  for  Christ  without  helping 
somebody  to  find  Him.     So  I  testify  for  love's  sake. 

Some  Detailed  Plans  for  Special  Meetings. 

We  suggest  here  a  number  of  plans  for  meetings  on 
special  subjects.  As  to  some,  pretty  full  directions  are 
given.  As  to  others,  there  is  something  left  to  the  imagina- 
tion and  ingenuity  of  the  leader.  But  all  have  their  use 
if  they  are  followed  intelligently. 

A  Meeting  for  Prayer. — The  wisest  way  to  plan  this 
meeting  will  be  to  make  it  a  real  prayer-meeting.  It  should 
not  be  permitted  to  drift  into  a  discussion  about  prayer, 
or  a  series  of  aimless  talks  on  prayer.     Pray ! 

But  a  prayer-meeting,  more  than  any  other,  must  have 
definiteness  and  directness.  There  should  be  a  careful  sur- 
vey of  the  Chapter's  needs,  and  a  study  of  the  prayer-life 
of  its  members.  How  many  Comrades  of  the  Morning 
Watch  are  there  in  the  Chapter?     Enlist  them. 

After  the  leader's  opening  talk,  let  there  be  four  "times 
of  prayer:"  "Prayers  of  confession," — the  personal  and 
collective  failures  and  wrongdoings  of  the  members  and  the 
Chapter,  humbly  and  penitently  acknowledged,  and  for- 
giveness for  them  sought.  "Prayers  of  supplication," — the 
needs  which  seem  greatest  brought  boldly  and  believingly 
to  the  throne  of  grace.  "Prayers  of  co-operation," — the 
work  of  the  Kingdom  in  the  community  elsewhere  frankly 
accepted  as  a  direct  personal  obligation,  and  greater  loyalty 
to  that  work  gladly  assumed.  "Prayers  of  intercession," — 
for  all  who  have  need,  whether  in  the  home  Church,  in  the 

lOi 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

home  town,  on  the  frontier,  or  out  on  the  edges  of 
heathenism. 

Close  the  meeting  with  an  invitation  to  those  who  for 
any  reason  desire  to  be  included  in  your  ministry  of  inter- 
cession and  are  willing  to  say,  "Pray  for  us." 

Another  "Prayer"  Meeting. — Use  these  themes  for  study 
and  comment:  Christ  as  a  Man  of  prayer.  The  men  of 
prayer  of  the  Bible.  The  reasons  for  prayer.  Incitements 
to  prayer.  The  time  for  prayer.  The  place  of  prayer. 
Victories  of  prayer.     Christ's  teachings  on  prayer. 

SCRIPTURE    REFERENCES. 

Bible  Instances  of  Secret  Prayer:  Gen.  32:9-12;  2 
Kings  20:2;  Neh.  2:4;  Dan.  G :  10 ;  Matt.  14:23;  Matt. 
26:36-39;  Mark  1:35;  Luke  5:  16;  Acts  9:40;  Acts  10:30. 

Hindrances  to  the  Prayer  Life:  Job  35:13;  Psa. 
66:  18;  Prov.  1  :  24-28;  Prov.  28:  9;  Isa.  59:  2;  John  9:31  ; 
James  1:6,  7. 

Sustainng  the  Prayer  Life:  Psa.  27:8;  Rom.  8:26; 
Eph.  6:18;  Phil.  4:6;  Col.  4:2;  1  Thess.  5:17,  18; 
Heb.  4:  16. 

Blessings  of  the  Prayer  Life:  Psa.  37:8;  Psa.  86:5; 
Psa.  91:15;  Prov.  3:6;  Amos  5:4;  Luke  21:36;  John 
15:7;  James  1:6;  1  John  5:14. 

QUESTIONS    FOR    TESTIMONY. 

What  is  prayer  to  you,  a  duty  or  a  delight? 

What  is  it  to  "pray  without  ceasing?" 

How  large  a  place  should  be  given  to  thanksgiving  in 
our  daily  prayers  ? 

How  can  we  use  the  Bible  as  a  help  to  prayer? 

What  are  some  of  the  things  that  hinder  the  life  of 
prayer  ? 

BOOKS    ON    THE    LIFE    OF    PRAYER. 

Mr.  Mott,  in  his  pamphlet  on  "Secret  Prayer,"  which  is 
itself  well  worth  careful  study,  recommends  the  following 
books:  "Prayer;  Its  Nature  and  Scope,"  by  H.  Clay 
Trumbull;  "With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer,"  by  An- 
drew Murray;   "Secret  Prayer,"  by   Professor   H.   C.   G. 

105 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Moule,  and  "The  Still  Hour,''  by  Professor  Austin  Phelps. 
He  also  recommends  three  pamphlets:  "Prayer  and  Mis- 
sions," by  R.  E.  Speer;  "Secret  Prayer  a  Great  Reality," 
by  Henry  Wright,  and  "The  Practice  of  the  Presence  of 
God,"  by  Brother  Lawrence.  These  pamphlets  may  be  had 
from  the  International  Committee,  121  East  28th  Street, 
New  York  City. 

The  Present  Christ. — After  the  leader  has  spoken,  let 
him  set  questions  before  the  members,  written  on  a  black- 
board, or  printed  on  slips,  or  in  some  other  effective  way. 
Then  invite  responses  during  the  time  set  apart  for  testi- 
mony. Such  questions  as  these  may  be  used : 
If  Christ  came  to  our  town — 

Should  I  be  glad  to  see  Him? 

Where  should  I  wish  Him  to  find  me? 

What  neglect  would  He  condemn? 

What  business  would  He  disapprove? 

With  whom  would  He  spend  most  of  His  time  ? 

What  claims  would  He  make? 

What  changes  would   I  make  if  I  had  twenty-four 
hours'   notice   of   His   coming? 

How  would  He  be  received  ? 

What  work  would  He  begin  to  do? 

Let  the  testimonies  end  fifteen  minutes  before  the  time 
to  close  the  meeting.  The  pastor  or  the  leader  may  use 
half  of  the  remaining  time  in  pressing  home  this  applica- 
tion: "In  answering  these  questions  we  have  revealed  our 
present  duty  and  privilege.  It  is  a  vision  of  opportunity 
to  be  Christlike,  to  show  that  Christ  dwelleth  in  us.  What 
shall  we  do  with  the  vision?" 

Close  the  meeting  with  a  simple,  tender,  searching  con- 
secration service. 

An  Evangelistic  Devotional  Meeting. — The  leader  has 
a  great  opportunity.  Enlist  the  active  help  of  the  entire 
Department  of  Spiritual  Work,  and  get  ready  by  prayer, 
by  self-dedication,  by  personal  work,  for  a  revival  which 
shall  begin  in  the  League  meeting. 

Ask  the  pastor  to  take  his  place  as  general  director 
of  this  meeting.     In  many  cases  it  will  be  possible  to  com- 

100 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

bine  the  League  service  with  the  evening  preaching  service, 
in  which  the  pastor  will  supplement  the  League's  work  by 
a  tender,  earnest,  urgent  presentation  of  Jesus  Christ  as 
a  Savior  from  sin.  If  that  can  be  done,  and  the  League 
members  will  co-operate  by  giving  the  Christian  invitation 
in  person  to  those  of  their  friends  who  are  not  Christians, 
this  meeting  may  be  the  most  important  and  resultful  of 
the  whole  year. 

Beginning  New  Work. — A  Cabinet  meeting  should  be 
held  during  the  week  before  this  devotional  meeting,  if  pos- 
sible. If  the  Cabinet  decides  to  take  up  some  new  form 
of  work  this  year,  there  can  be  no  better  time  to  announce 
it  than  now,  and  to  enlist  the  co-operation  of  every  member. 
In  case  this  is  done,  divide  the  time  of  the  devotional  meet- 
ing into  three  parts:  the  first,  for  the  discussion  of  the 
topic  in  its  larger  and  more  general  aspect;  the  second,  for 
the  presentation  and  explanation  of  the  new  plans ;  and  the 
third,  for  some  brief  but  earnest  and  definite  moments  of 
solemn  dedication  to  and  acceptance  of  the  new  work. 

The  Central  Office,  1020  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago,  will 
furnish  explanatory  literature  on  Bible  study,  the  Morning 
Watch,  Christian  Stewardship,  temperance  work,  and  per- 
sonal evangelism.  The  Missionary  Education  Department 
of  the  Missionary  Society,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York, 
will  furnish  literature  on  mission  study.  Parish  Abroad 
Office,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  will  send  information 
concerning  that  most  practical  and  workable  method  of 
helping  the  missionary  work  of  the  Church. 

The  Christian  and  Amusements. — Plan  this  meeting 
with  special  care.  The  topic  is  one  which  always  interests 
young  people.  You  may  have  a  few  in  your  Chapter  who 
are  radical  on  the  subject.  Do  not  try  to  suppress  them. 
Give  them  full  opportunity  to  speak. 

But  select  for  special  participation  only  those  whose 
spiritual  life  is  such  that  their  words  will  carry  weight. 
That  does  not  mean  the  dull  members,  or  the  narrow  ones, 
but  those  who  have  the  most  vigorous  personal  religion  and 
who  do  not  spoil  their  influence  by  inconsistency  in  matters 
of  amusement. 

Let  the  prayer  service  be  as  earnest  and  tender  as  pos- 

107 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

sible.  It  is  unusually  important  that  the  meeting  shall  rise 
at  once  to  a  high  spiritual  level  and  stay  there.  Pray  for 
the  tempted,  for  the  eager  ones  to  whom  all  life's  offered 
pleasures  seem  real  and  lasting,  for  those  who  have  gone 
far  on  the  road  of  doubtful  delights.  Pray  for  higher  and 
clearer  ideals.  Thank  God  for  the  power  of  pleasure,  the 
gift  of  laughter,  and  the  zest  for  joy.  Pledge  a  new 
allegiance  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  seeking  to  have  the  same 
mind  and  to  follow  in  His  steps. 

Hold  up  worthy  ideals.  Self-respecting  young  people 
do  not  need  to  be  kept  amused  constantly.  A  program  out- 
line is  appended: 

Song  service,  ten  minutes. 

Brief  prayers,  following  suggestions  above  given. 

The   Scripture  lesson. 

The  leader  speaks:     "Recreation  as  a  duty." 

Members  speak:  The  test  of  right  recreation;  a  review 
of  Bishop  Vincent's  "Better  Not;"  recreation  by  a  change 
of  work;  the  high  purpose  of  recreation;  the  border  line  in 
the  field  of  doubtful  practices;  the  joys  and  pleasures  of 
the  Christian  life. 

Testimony. 

The  League  benediction,  or  this,  "Let  all  those  that  put 
their  trust  in  Thee  rejoice." 

"Let  them  ever  shout  for  joy,  because  Thou  defendest 
them." 

"Let  them  also  that  love  Thy  name  be  joyful  in  Thee." 

Who  is  My  Neighbor  and  What  of  Him? — What  are 
i/ou  doing  to  strengthen  your  neighbor's  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ? 

Why  can  not  any  one  of  us  be  a  Christian  all  by  him- 
self? 

Can  the  law  of  love  as  illustrated  by  the  Good  Samari- 
tan be  applied  to  industry  and  commerce  and  politics? 

Do  Christians  treat  their  neighbors,  as  a  rule,  better 
than  non-Christians  do? 

What  has  your  experience  with  professing  Christians 
in  business  taught  you  about  them  and  about  the  religion 
they  profess? 

108 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

How  would  thf  Christian  idea  of  neighborliness  trans- 
form your  town,  your  street,  your  school,  your  store,  your 
home  ? 

What  Methodism  Stands  For. — Methodism  is  sometimes 
Episcopalian  in  its  polity,  sometimes  Congregational,  some- 
times Presbyterian. 

Some  of  its  people  worship  in  log  cabins,  some  in  bamboo 
huts,  some  in  mud  houses,  and  some  in  great  cathedrals. 

Some  of  its  preachers  are  the  choicest  products  of  the 
great  universities,  while  others  are  barely  able  to  read  the 
Scriptures  they  expound. 

Some  of  its  members  are  millionaires,  while  others  are 
as  poor  as  the  poorest. 

Its  parish  extends  from  the  Arctic  Circle  to  Patagonia, 
and  from  Hawaii  in  the  West  to  Japan  in  the  East. 

Its  message  is  proclaimed  in  the  oldest  languages  now 
spoken,  and  in  the  latest  tongues  which  its  own  missionaries 
have  just  reduced  to  writing. 

But  amid  all  this  diversity — 

Every  Methodist  preacher  proclaims  the  same  great 
doctrines ; 

The  world-scattered  congregations  of  Methodism  sing 
the  same  songs  of  salvation ; 

Her  invitation  to  the  sin-sick  and  weary  is  the  same 
the  world  over; 

Her  experience  of  salvation  in  Jesus  Christ  has  the 
same  value  and  meaning  for  rich  and  poor,  for  learned  and 
untaught,  for  Caucasian,  Ethiopian,  Mongolian,  Malay; 

Her  testimony  to  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  is  as  real 
on  the  banks  of  the  Ganges  as  on  the  shores  of  the  Hudson ; 

In  a  word,  her  abounding  life  realizes  the  apostolic 
picture  of  diversities  of  gifts  and  diversities  of  operations 
and  diversities  of  opportunities,  but  the  same  spirit  ! 

Bishop  Vincent's  Methodist  Ten  Doctrines  of  Grace. — 

I.  I  believe  that  all  men  are  sinners. 

II.  I  believe  that  God  the  Father  loves  all  men  and 
hates  all  sin. 

III.  I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  died  for  all  men  to 
make  possible  their  salvation  from  sin,  and  to  make  sure  the 
salvation  of  all  who  believe  in  Him. 

109 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

IV.  I  believe  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  given  to  all  nun 
to  enlighten  and  to  incline  them  to  repent  of  their  sins  and 
to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

V.  I  believe  that  all  who  repent  of  their  sins  and  be- 
lieve in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  receive  the  forgiveness  of 
sin.      (This  is  justification.) 

VI.  I  believe  that  all  who  receive  the  forgiveness  of  sin 
are  at  the  same  time  made  new  creatures  in  Christ  Jesus. 
(This  is  regeneration.) 

VII.  I  believe  that  all  who  are  made  new  creatures 
in  Christ  Jesus  are  accepted  as  the  children  of  God.  (This 
is  adoption.) 

VIII.  I  believe  that  all  who  are  accepted  as  the  chil- 
dren of  God  may  receive  the  inward  assurance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  that  fact.     (This  is  the  witness  of  the  Spirit.) 

IX.  I  believe  that  all  who  truly  desire  and  seek  it  may 
love  God  with  all  their  heart  and  sold,  mind  and  strength, 
and  their  neighbors  as  themselves.  (This  is  entire  sanctifi- 
cation.) 

X.  I  believe  that  all  who  persevere  to  the  end,  and  only 
those,  shall  be  saved  in  heaven  forever.  (This  is  the  true 
final  perseverance.) 

The  Ten  Points  of  Church  Economy. — I.  All  who  be- 
long to  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  on  earth  are  members  of  the 
holy  catholic  Church. 

II.  The  holy  catholic  Church  has  many  outward 
branches  or  denominations. 

III.  One  branch  of  the  holy  catholic  Church  is  the 
Methodist  Episcopal,  which  was  organized  in  1784,  and  is, 
in  doctrine,  usages,  and  spirit,  in  harmony  with  the  apos- 
tolic Church. 

IV.  There  are  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  two  sacra- 
ments:    Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper; 

V.  Four  classes  of  members  and  candidates  for  mem- 
bership: Sunday  school  scholars,  persons  baptized  in  in- 
fancy, probationers,  and  full  members ; 

VI.  Ten  classes  of  officers:  Bishops,  district  superin- 
tendents, elders,  deacons,  local  preachers,  exhorters,  class 
leaders,  stewards,  Sunday  school  superintendents,  and  trus- 
tees ; 

110 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

VII.  Five  principal  organizations:  The  General,  An- 
nual, District,  and  Quarterly  Conferences,  and  the  Leaders' 
and  Stewards'  Meeting; 

VIII.  Three  peculiarities:  The  itinerancy,  the  love- 
feast,  and  the  class  meeting; 

IX.  Benevolent  societies: 

X.  The  promise  made  by  parents  at  the  baptism  of 
their  children  is  as  follows:  The  child  to  be  baptized 
"shall  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  learn  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  the  Ten  Commandments,  the  Apostles'  Creed,  the 
Catechism,  and  all  other  things  which  a  Christian  ought  to 
know  and  believe  to  his  soul's  health." 

Preparing  for  Our  Heavenly  Home. — Remember  that 
the  chief  stress  of  the  meeting  must  be,  not  heaven,  but 
preparation  for  heaven. 

Make  plain  the  illustration  of  citizenship,  as  the  grant- 
ing of  privileges  and  honors,  and  the  imposing  of  responsi- 
bility, so  that  all  may  see  with  new  clearness  the  idea 
that  getting  to  heaven  is  not  an  accident,  but  a  result  of 
meeting  the  conditions  of  the  Heavenly  Kingdom. 

The  leader's  own  address — which  should  not  be  omitted 
—may  deal  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  three  subjects 
briefly  discussed  on  this  page:  "Our  Heavenly  Citizenship," 
"Longing  for  Heaven,"  or  "The  Attractions  of  Heaven." 
Assign  the  other  two  to  competent  speakers,  who  should 
speak  not  more  than  three  or  four  minutes  each. 

General  testimony  may  be  stimulated  by  the  use  of 
questions  prominently  displayed  by  the  blackboard  or  other 
device.  Use  such  questions  as  these:  "Why  do  you  desire 
to  go  to  heaven?"  "How  much  preparation  is  necessary 
for  heaven?"  "What  is  the  difference  between  you  as  you 
are  now — a  citizen  of  the  Kingdom  of  heaven — and  as  you 
will  be  hereafter — a  dweller  in  heaven  itself?"  "If  you 
knew  you  had  just  a  year  for  preparation  for  heaven,  how 
would  you  employ  that  year?" 

The  list  of  available  hymns  is  almost  endless.  There 
are  so  many  great  and  noble  hymns  on  this  theme  that  no 
one  ought  to  waste  a  moment  on  the  shallow  ditties  whose 
words  and  music  combine  to  cheapen  and  weaken  the  whole 
purpose  and  meaning  of  the  theme.     A  few  hymns  arc  sug- 

111 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

gested  below.  They  are  all  to  be  found  in  the  Methodist 
Hymnal.  The  series  ascribed  Bernard  of  Cluny  (1058- 
10G1)   are  especially  effective  when  well  read. 

The  Message  of  the  Flowers. — Make  this  meeting  mem- 
orable  for  two  things — beauty   and   practical   helpfulness. 

The  beauty  may  be  secured  by  the  intelligent  and  taste- 
ful use  of  decorations.  As  this  is  more  than  a  flower  service, 
you  may  draw  on  all  the  resources  of  the  community  for 
the  effective  display  of  "green  things  a-growing."  Flower- 
ing and  foliage  plants,  cut  flowers,  vines,  ferns,  grasses, 
grains, — all  may  be  used  with  good  effect. 

The  usefulness  of  the  service  may  be  made  certain  by 
the  taking  up  of  some  form  of  flower-mission  work  as  the 
result  of  this  meeting.  Decide  before  the  meeting  what 
your  Chapter  can  do.  Present  the  plan  during  the  devo- 
tional meeting,  and  see  that  it  goes  forward  afterward. 

There  are  many  poems  available  which  are  appropriate 
for  recitation  by  some  capable  member. 

For  the  singing  use  such  selections  as  "Bv  Cool  Siloam's 
Shady  Rill,"  "The  Lily  of  the  Valley,"  "The  Morning 
Flowers  Display  Their  Sweets." 

Ask  some  members  in  advance  to  be  ready  to  speak  on 
the  spiritual  lessons  that  may  be  learned  from  the  well- 
known  poetical  symbolism  of  the  flowers  and  trees:  the  palm 
for  victory,  the  violet  for  modesty,  the  lily  for  purity, 
pansies  for  thoughts,  forget-me-nots  for  remembrance,  the 
olive  for  peace,  the  oak  for  strength,  the  vine  for  fruitful- 
ness,  the  cedar  for  permanence,  and  so  on. 

A  Christmas  Gift  to  the  Christ. — Why  must  my  gift  to 
Christ  be  entirely  voluntary? 

Why  can  not  I  give  part  of  my  life  to  Christ,  retaining 
the  rest  for  myself? 

What  is  the  great  motive  which  makes  us  desire  to  give 
gifts — to  our  friends,  to  our  own  kindred,  to  Christ? 

Why  is  Christmas  the  ideal  time  for  deciding  that  we 
will  be  wholly  the  Lord's? 

When  and  where  can  I  begin  to  prove  that  I  have  given 
myself  to  Christ? 

If  we  have  given  ourselves,  does  it  matter  whether  we 
give  our  money  or  not? 

1  1  2 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

What  are  the  chief  hindrances  in  the  way  of  our  making 
a  complete  dedication  of  our  lives  to  Christ? 

What  can  we  do  to-night  and  to-morrow  that  will  be  a 
Christmas  gift  to  our  Lord? 

Christian  Education. — If  possible,  get  one  or  two  col- 
lege folk  to  take  part — people  who  have  been  to  school  and 
know  what  they  are  talking  about.     Have  at  hand  informa 
tion  about  the  nearest  Church  school.     Here  is  an  outlined 
program : 

Song  service,  ten  minutes. 

The  Scripture  lesson. 

The  leader  speaks:     "Right  and  wrong  education." 

A  member  considers  the  question,  "Who  can  afford  to 
go  to  college?" 

Another  asks,  "Why  go  to  college?" 

Another  member  inquires,  "What  kind  of  a  college?" 

Two  members  consider,  "How  to  secure  a  Christian  edu- 
cation if  the  way  to  college  is  not  open." 

General  testimony  on  "The  reasons  why  all  Christians 
should  be  educated  Christians." 

A  "Vision"  Meeting. — This  may  be  made  a  beautiful 
meeting.  If  it  is  conducted  like  an  old-fashioned  love-feast 
some  people  will  be  inclined  to  take  part  who  have  long 
been  silent. 

The  leader  will  need  prayer  and  quietness  before  be- 
ginning his  meeting.  Go  into  the  secret  place  and  seek  a 
clearer,  brighter  vision  of  the  Lord.  Let  Him  become 
real  to  the  leader's  heart  and  He  will  be  real  to  the  people 
in  the  meeting. 

Ask  the  members  to  "tell  their  experience."  Put  the 
invitation  to  testimony  in  the  form  of  questions.  "What 
was  your  first  vision  of  Christ?"  "How  did  it  affect  your 
life?"     "Has  the  vision  changed?" 

You  will  hear  of  Nathanael  visions  and  Matthew  visions 
and  John  Baptist  visions  and  Zaccheus  visions  and  centurion 
visions,  and  Wesley  visions,  Saul  visions,  Augustine  visions, 
Luther  visions.     "God  fulfills  Himself  in  many  ways." 

Perhaps  it  may  be  helpful  to  have  a  few  brief  recitals 
of  "How  Christ  reveals  Himself  to  men,"  describing  some 
of  the  experiences  indicated  in  the  preceding  paragraph. 
8  113 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Follow  these  with  the  personal  question,  "How  did  Christ 
first  show  Himself  to  you?" 

As  the  meeting  draws  to  a  close  the  vision  of  Christ 
may  have  dawned  for  the  first  time  on  some  one  present. 
Find  that  one.  Devote  the  last  five  minutes  to  the  search. 
You  may  help  a  soul  into  the  light  of  Christ's  love. 

A  Service  of  Confession. — This  meeting  will,  of  course, 
be  largely  a  meeting  of  testimony.  Plan  to  give  as  much 
time  as  may  be  necessary  for  this  part  of  the  program. 
Let  every  exercise  emphasize  the  duty  of  witnessing  for 
Christ. 

If  you  have  reason  to  believe  that  there  will  be  some 
present  who  are  trying  to  be  silent  disciples,  urge  the  duty 
of  confession.  Insist  plainly,  though  kindly,  that  it  is  quite 
as  important  as  following  Christ  in  life.  Show  that  such 
following  can  not  be  complete  and  satisfying  without  an 
open  declaration  of  purpose  and  allegiance. 

Various  sub-topics  may  be  assigned  to  various  members, 
asking  them  to  take  these  as  themes  of  three  or  four-minute 
talks,  of  course  using  their  own  language  and  finding  other 
ideas  besides  those  suggested. 

The  testimonies  should  be  pointed  and  personal  con- 
fessions of  Christ  as  Lord  and  Savior,  as  Redeemer  and 
Master  of  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  service  let  the  leader  or  the  pastor 
urge  with  great  tenderness  the  claims  of  Christ  on  those 
who  as  yet  have  not  confessed  Him.  An  altar  service  may 
be  made  of  great  value  toward  this  end. 

A  Decision  Meeting. — Group  all  remedies  for  present- 
day  evils  around  the  gospel. 

Ask  for  reasons  wliy  other  remedies  fail — such  remedies 
as  Socialism,  co-operative  colonies,  the  Anti-Poverty  Society, 
political  reform,  philanthropic  movements,  and  education. 

Let  the  testimonies  be  of  the  "one  thing  I  know"  order. 

The  range  of  hymns  appropriate  to  this  topic  is  almost 
limitless.  Here  are  some:  "The  Great  Physician,"  "Just 
as  I  am,"  "At  even,  ere  the  sun  was  set,"  "I  heard  the 
voice  of  Jesus  say,"  "Whiter  than  snow,"  "Of  Him  who 
did  salvation  bring,"  "Come,  said  Jesus'  sacred  voice," 
"There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood,"  "Rock  of  Ages." 

114 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

For  Opening  the   Meeting. 

The  Canadian  Epworth  Era  suggests  several  good  and 
helpful  ways  for  opening  the  devotional  meeting: 

Open  with  silent  prayer. 

Open  with  an  appropriate  solo. 

Open  with  a  series  of  sentence  prayers. 

Open  with  a  blackboard  talk  on  the  topic. 

Open  with  a  word  from  your  pastor,  previously  asked  to 
give  it. 

Open  with  six  comments  on  the  six  daily  readings  of 
the  week. 

Open  directly  with  some  abrupt  and  striking  word  about 
the  subject. 

Open  with  an  appropriate  recitation,  rendered  by  some 
younger  member. 

Open  with  Bible  verses  brought  by  the  members  as 
their  testimonies. 

Open  with  the  Scripture  lesson  read  by  two  members, 
who  will  stand  before  the  Chapter  and  read  alternate  verses. 

Open  with  a  series  of  Bible  verses  bearing  on  the  sub- 
ject, given  out  before  the  meeting  to  a  number  of  members, 
who  will  read  in  the  order  in  which  the  slips  are  numbered. 

Open  with  a  Bible-reading  on  the  subject,  making  sure 
beforehand  that  the  members  bring  their  Bibles.  .Give  out 
numbered  slips  containing  references,  and  have  them  read 
in  order. 

In  your  opening  always  seek  to  touch  the  highest  themes. 
Remember  that  novelty  is  of  value  only  as  a  stepping- 
stone  to  interest.  If  you  can  get  the  interest  in  an  old 
way,  do  so. 

For  Variety  in  the  Meeting. 

Sing  the  hymns   from  memory. 

Ask  questions,  the  answers  to  which  are  Scripture  say- 
ings.    This  may  be  used  instead  of  a  Bible-reading. 

Put  all  the  thought  of  the  topic  into  half  a  dozen  plain 
questions  or  less.  Write  these  on  the  blackboard,  or  on  a 
large  sheet  of  wrapping  paper,  and  let  the  testimony  be  in 
answer  to  these  questions. 

Secure  telegraphic  testimonies  from  absent  members, 
115 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

written  on  regular  telegraph  blanks,  and  limited  to  twenty 
words. 

Exchange  leaders  with  a  neighboring  society,  possibly 
of  a  different  denomination. 

Get  special  music,  if  it  is  appropriate  to  the  theme. 

Find  one  of  the  great  hymns  which  will  illustrate  the 
topic,  and  get  some  one  to  recite  it  from  memory. 

Occasionally  hold  a  meeting  which  shall  be  exclusively 
a  prayer-meeting. 

Call  for  a  brief  season  of  prayer  at  some  moment  of 
unusual  feeling. 

For  a  change,  limit  all  speakers  to  one  minute. 

Try  a  question  box.  This  should  mean  vigorous  adver- 
tising also. 

Change  the  seating  plan,  especially  if  it  has  been  stiff 
and  formal.  Arrange  the  chairs  in  semi-circular  fashion 
about  the  speaker. 

Call  for  the  reciting  in  concert  of  familiar  Scripture. 

Drop  all  the  familiar  phraseology  that  has  ceased  to 
mean  much.  If  a  Chapter  should  not  hear  for  fifty-two 
Sundays  the  words,  "The  time  is  yours ;  do  not  let  it  go 
to  waste,"  nobody  would  be  the  worse  for  the  deprivation. 

Let  the  leaders  for  a  month  arrange  a  plan  which  will 
provide  a  different  method  and  different  material  for  each 
Sunday. 

Put  the  song  service  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  one 
week,  in  the  middle  the  next.  The  third  week  sing  only 
two  or  three  songs  in  the  entire  evening. 

Announce  that  the  first  ten  minutes  of  the  testimony 
service  will  be  for  some  special  class:  the  new  converts, 
the  oldest  members,  the  members  who  have  joined  this 
year,  or  others. 

Soul- winning  is  never  monotonous.  If  there  is  the 
slightest  sign  of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  unconverted, 
devote  the  closing  moments  to  the  deepening  and  making 
definite  of  that  interest. 

Have  two  leaders:  one  with  some  experience  in  the 
work,  the  other  a  comparatively  untried  member.  This 
will  give  variety  and  at  the  same  time  be  a  good  training 
for  the  younger  members. 

1  I  6 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

Instead  of  voluntary  testimonies,  call  on  one  to  speak, 
who,  after  speaking,  calls  on  another,  who,  after  speaking, 
calls  on  another,  and  so  on.     It  puts  everybody  on  the  alert. 

Let  the  Scripture  lesson  be  given  from  memory.  Some- 
times, if  it  is  a  familiar  Scripture,  use  it  responsively,  both 
leader  and  congregation  giving  it  memoriter.  Expand  this 
plan  so  as  to  include  all  the  songs  used  during  the  evening. 

When  your  meeting  is  distinctly  evangelistic,  use  every 
effort  to  get  your  unsaved  friends  to  attend.  Set  people 
to  work  giving  personal  invitations.  Invite  testimony  on 
such  themes  as  "What  I  was  without  Christ,"  "How  I 
found  Christ,"  "What  Christ  has  done  for  me."  Be  ready 
lo  put  the  meeting  into  the  hands  of  the  pastor  whenever 
there  is  any  sign  of  intense  spiritual  interest  which  may 
lead  to  immediate  seeking  of  salvation. 

Closing  the  Meeting. 

The  closing  moments  are  the  most  important.  It  is 
possible  to  spoil  utterly  a  good  meeting  by  the  use  that  is 
made  of  the  last  five  minutes.  Therefore,  while  ready 
to  take  advantage  of  unusual  circumstances,  have  a  definite 
plan  for  the  closing  moments.  Do  not  let  the  meeting 
'fade  out"  or  run  out  from  sheer  weakness.  The  moment 
that  it  seems  best  to  close,  begin  on  the  special  plan  pro- 
vided. 

In  every  case  where  it  is  possible  give  the  invitation 
to  accept  Jesus  Christ  as  Savior. 

The  repetition  in  concert  of  some  appropriate  Scripture 
or  hymn  of  devotion  will  secure  the  participation  of  many 
who  have  had  no  opportunity  to  take  part  otherwise,  or  who 
for  various  reasons  have  remained  silent  up  to  this  point. 

Often  the  pastor  is  the  person  to  be  asked  to  take  charge 
of  the  closing  moments.  He  will  sum  up  the  lesson  and 
the  testimonies,  and  give  a  brief,  pointed,  loving  exhorta- 
tion based  on  the  topic  for  the  evening. 

It  is  rarely  out  of  place  to  close  with  prayer,  and  the 
more  who  can  be  induced  to  share  in  the  prayer,  the  more 
helpful  it  will  be.  Silent  prayers,  sentence  prayers,  prayers 
by  three  or  four  members  called  upon  for  that   purpose, 

117 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

chain  prayers  (in  which  each  one  taking  part  calls  on 
some  one  else  to  follow  him),  prayers  quoted  from  Scripture 
or  from  hymns, — all  these  will  he  found  of  value.  But 
always  hear  in  mind  that  in  prayer,  of  all  things,  the  spirit 
and  the  purpose  is  all-important,  while  the  form  is  of  small 
moment. 

Whatever  the  method  employed,  seek  to  make  the  last 
moments  of  the  meeting  the  most  important.  Bring  the 
hour  to  its  climax  just  before  it  ends.  End  at  the  highest 
point  of  conviction  and  feeling,  so  that  it  will  be  the  most 
natural  thing  for  the  congregation  to  go  away  with  its 
mind  made  up  to  some  definite  form  of  action.  That  is 
the  test  of  every  method  by  which  the  gospel  is  presented. 
If  it  reaches  the  will  of  the  hearers,  it  is  well.  If  not — 
if  it  has  merely  interested  the  intellectual  faculty,  or 
excited  the  emotions — it  is  a  failure.  Our  business  is  to 
'persuade.    We  must  do  that,  or  it  matters  little  what  we  do. 

How  to  Take  Part. 

By  prayer. 

By  a  word  of  testimony  ending  with  prayer. 

By  quoting  a  verse  or,  preferably,  two  or  three  verses 
of  Scripture. 

By  giving  the  reason  for  your  appreciation  of  the  Scrip- 
ture you  quote. 

By  quotations  other  than  Scriptural,  given  from  memory. 

By  a  few  words  of  comment,  relating  the  quotation  to 
the  topic  and  to  your  own  experience. 

By  appropriate  reading  from  current  literature. 

By  reciting  a  hymn  or  other  poem. 

By  telling  of  some  incident  within  your  observation 
which  illustrated  and  enforces  the  theme. 

Bv  referring  to  some  such  incident  as  the  one  last  men- 
tioned which  you  have  found  in  the  course  of  your  reading. 

By  a  brief  expression  of  your  own  thought  on  the  topic 
of  the  evening. 

By  personal  testimony  for  Jesus  Christ,  with  special 
reference  to  the  theme  of  the  meeting. 

And  personal  testimony  is  of  all  ways  the  best! 
118 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

The  Singing  in  the  Meeting. 

This  is  a  difficult  subject.  There  is  plenty  of  willing- 
ness to  sing  and,  as  a  rule,  plenty  of  singing.  Hut  appro- 
priate and  heartfelt  singing  is  not  so  common. 

It  seems  absurd  that  one  should  consider  it  necessary 
to  say,  "Select  the  hymns  in  advance,"  but  the  advice  is 
sorely  needed  by  thousands  of  leaders.  In  the  serene  con- 
sciousness that  there  are  half  a  dozen  songs  in  the  book 
which  everybody  can  sing  without  the  slightest  effort  of 
memory  or  of  the  reflective  powers,  the  leader  trusts  to 
the  inspiration  of  the  moment  or  falls  back  on  the  nerveless 
"Has  any  one  a  song  to  suggest?"  It  would  seem  that 
the  frequent  ridiculous  situations  to  which  this  expedient 
gives  rise  would  in  time  cause  leaders  to  avoid  it.  But 
it  still  flourishes,  and  perpetuates  the  use  of  many  a  com- 
monplace song.  This  drawing  a  bow  at  a  venture,  and 
its  companion  method  of  "leafing  through"  the  book  during 
an  awkward  pause  in  the  meeting,  are  deadly  enemies  of 
a  successful  service  of  song. 

Select  the  hymns  after  all  other  preparation  has  been 
made.  Take  the  book  your  Chapter  uses  and  go  through 
the  whole  list  of  possible  hymns  that  will  fit  the  theme. 

If  you  have  a  reasonably  proficient  organist,  do  not 
hesitate  to  select  a  few  unfamiliar  hymns.  One  of  the 
reasons  often  given  when  inviting  all  to  sing  is,  "This  is 
such  a  familiar  hymn  that  everybody  can  sing  it."  Some- 
times that  is  precisely  the  reason  why  many  do  not  sing  that 
particular  hymn.  Most  people  enjoy  singing  the  unfamiliar 
hymns.  They  give  more  attention  to  the  words,  and  are 
more  likely  to  be  struck  by  the  thoughts  embodied  in  them. 

Occasionally  sing  fewer  hymns,  and  utilize  the  time  thus 
saved  in  singing  the  stanzas  usually  omitted.  We  are  in 
some  danger  of  thinking  that  two  stanzas  of  a  hymn  con- 
stitute all  of  it  that  is  worth  singing. 

Get  the  best  hymn-books  you  can  afford.  Sonic  Chapters 
are  wisely  adopting  the  Methodist  Hymnal.  They  will  he 
a  long  time  exhausting  it.  The  best  books  are  usually  as 
cheap  as  the  poorest,  to  begin  with,  and  in  the  end  there 
is  no  comparison.  Do  not  buy  a  one-man  book.  The  fact 
that   you    have    heard    a    gospel    singer    render    effectively 

119 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

half  a  dozen  of  the  songs  in  his  latest  book  is  not  an  in- 
fallible indication  that  your  Chapter  should  have  that  book. 
A  one-man  book,  especially  if  it  is  of  the  sort  that  the  man 
carries  with  him  for  sale,  is  not  likely  to  be  worth  much 
to  anybody  six  months  after  date.  Ask  a  competent  mu- 
sician, who  should,  of  course,  be  a  Christian,  to  help  your 
committee  in  the  selection  of  the  new  book  your  Chapter 
has  ordered  to  be  bought.  He  will  not  save  you  much  in 
the  actual  outlay  of  money,  but  he  will  save  you  some  dis- 
appointment born  of  unconscious  and  unnecessary  blun- 
dering. 

Whj'  not  a  choir  and  an  orchestra?  Both  are  within 
the  capacity  of  thousands  of  Chapters,  and  a  choir  is  so 
easily  secured  that  no  Chapter  need  be  without  one.  It  will 
create  some  new  problems,  perhaps,  but  it  will  solve  some 
old  ones. 

Select  the  closing  hymn  with  special  care.  If  you  can 
find  one  which  summarizes  the  thought  of  the  topic,  or 
which  crystallizes  the  convictions  the  topic  has  created,  or 
which  expresses  some  determination  or  purpose  appropriate 
to  the  theme,  use  that  hymn.  It  may  not  be  familiar.  So 
much  the  better.  First  read  it  in  concert.  Let  its  meaning 
be  clearly  seen,  then  sing  it  with  feeling  and  thoughtful- 
ness.     It  will  be  surprisingly  effective. 

The  old-time  method  of  impromptu  song  is  often  em- 
ployed with  thrilling  effect.  To  avoid  possible  confusion, 
let  this  work  of  starting  a  hymn  without  announcement  be 
given  to  one  or  two  persons  only,  and  let  it  be  understood 
between  them  and  the  leader  what  songs  they  shall  start. 
Of  course,  this  method  is  impossible  with  unfamiliar  hymns, 
but  it  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  inspiring  ways  of 
using  the  old  hymns.  For  some  reason  it  often  happens 
that  more  people  will  join  in  such  an  informal  outburst 
of  song  than  will  attempt  to  sing  when  number  or  page 
is  given  and  a  prelude  is  played. 

The  organist  has  much  to  do  with  the  success  of  the 
song  service.  He  may  control  the  time  of  the  singing,  and 
often  its  expression  also.  He  should  sit  at  the  organ 
throughout  the  meeting,  so  that  all  needless  pauses  may  be 
avoided.      He    should   not    play    preludes,    except    for   the 

120 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

rarely-used  hymns.  Ordinarily  the  chord  is  sufficient.  In- 
terludes, as  everybody  knows,  long  ago  went  out  of  fashion. 
Let  us  hope  they  will  never  return. 

Colleges  have  their  songs.  Why  should  not  Epworth 
League  Chapters  have  their  songs?  The  students  at  Drew 
Theological  Seminary  have  long  been  in  the  habit  of  con- 
sidering Faber's  hymn,  "Faith  of  our  fathers,"  as  the 
seminary  hymn.  It  is  sung  on  anniversary  occasions  and 
whenever  the  loyalty  and  devotion  of  the  students  have 
been  particularly  aroused.  Such  a  custom  is  specially  ap- 
propriate to  the  League  Chapter.  It  would  be  an  additional 
bond  of  fellowship,  and  there  are  many  occasions  when  the 
use  of  the  "Chapter  hymn"  would  be  both  appropriate  and 
beautiful.  At  group  meetings,  for  example,  and  at  con- 
ventions, the  roll  of  Chapters  might  be  answered  by  each 
delegation  singing  its  hymn.  Do  not  select  one  which  will 
soon  be  outworn  or  which  will  become  tiresome.  As  a  rule, 
one  of  the  grand  old  hymns  of  the  Church  is  more  desirable 
than  the  latest  copyrighted  novelty.  Try  408,  or  41 G,  or 
616,  or  382,  or  407,  or  409.  In  any  case,  avoid  as  you 
would  the  plague  a  song  whose  words  are  senseless  or  whose 
music  suggests  the  music-hall  or  the  circus. 

Ushers. 

Few  Chapter  devotional  meetings  are  so  small  as  to  be 
able  to  do  without  ushers.  In  the  large  Chapters  ushers 
are  indispensable. 

They  should  see  that  the  room  is  properly  warmed  and 
ventilated  before  the  meeting  begins. 

They  should  see  that  the  seats  are  properly  arranged, 
that  there  are  song-books  and  Bibles  within  the  reach  of  all. 

They  will  strive  courteously  to  fill  the  front  seats  first, 
so  that  the  late  comers  will  disturb  the  meeting  as  little 
as  possible. 

Ushers  have  the  best  opportunity  of  securing  the  names 
of  strangers  and  turning  them  over  to  the  chairman  of  the 
department  or  the  chairman  of  the  Social  Service  Depart- 
ment. 

121 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Open-Air  Services. 

From  late  spring  to  early  fall  many  Chapters  will  find 
open-air  services  a  great  means  of  usefulness.  Contrary 
to  the  usual  belief,  the  summer  is  a  most  favorable  time 
for  revival  and  evangelistic  work — but  not  in  stuffy  churches 
and  badly  ventilated  halls.  The  widespread  habit,  which 
our  climate  fosters,  of  spending  as  much  time  as  possible 
in  the  open  air  during  the  warmer  months,  offers  a  sug- 
gestion to  the  aggressive  Christian  which  ought  not  to  be 
ignored. 

The  people  are  already  out-of-doors.  A  little  music 
will  usually  draw  a  large  crowd.  The  open-air  service 
which  follows,  if  it  is  wisely  planned,  will  hold  the  crowd 
which  the  music  draws. 

An  open-air  meeting  must  not  be  conducted  after  the 
same  fashion  as  one  conducted  inside  a  church  building. 
There  must  be  an  entire  absence  of  stiffness.  The  street 
is  not  the  place  for  ritual.  The  meeting  must  stand  entirely 
on  its  own  merits.  It  can  have  no  crutches  of  churchhy 
surroundings,  of  the  dim  religious  light  and  Sabbath-like 
atmosphere  of  the  sanctuary.  Whatever  is  done  must  be 
done  promptly,  and  without  any  break  in  the  chain  of 
exercises. 

The  singing  must  be  vigorous,  confident,  and  sufficient 
in  volume  to  sustain  itself  without  any  assistance  from  the 
crowd.  The  crowd  may  choose  to  join  in,  but  it  is  well 
not  to  be  dependent  upon  it.  The  hymns  that  are  sung 
will  be  set  to  practicable  tunes,  tunes  that  are  attractive, 
if  not  familiar.  But  it  is  not  necessary  to  copy  slavishly 
the  methods  of  the  Salvation  Army.  Methods  are  not  so 
important  as  spirit.  With  the  proper  knowledge  of  the 
character  of  a  street  crowd,  an  intelligent  leader  can  usually 
devise  his  own  method. 

If  the  open-air  service  is  to  be  held  in  an  incorporated 
town,  it  will  be  necessary  to  seek  official  permission  before 
taking  any  positive  steps.  A  good  location  should  be  se- 
lected beforehand.  Do  not  start  out,  like  Abraham,  not 
knowing  whither  you  go.  The  best  location  is  one  which, 
while  being  close  to  the  main  stream  of  travel,  is  not  so 
near  as  to  be  disturbed  by  the  noises  of  the  street. 

122 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

In  the  conduct  of  the  meeting  one  or  two  things  .should 
be  specially  noted.  Long  prayers  arc  fatal  to  an  open-air 
service.  Indeed,  it  is  sometimes  wise  to  omit  prayer  alto- 
gether. A  preliminary  meeting  with  the  workers  may  be 
held  in  some  quiet  room,  and  prayer  for  the  service  may 
there  be  offered  with  large  prospect  of  blessing.  But 
when  the  meeting  is  on,  the  crowd  must  be  held.  Any- 
thing which  breaks  the  magnetic  current  between  the 
speaker  and  his  hearers  will  hurt  the  meeting.  A  street 
crowd,  once  its  attention  is  distracted,  is  gone. 

The  speaking  should  be  direct,  forceful,  and  brief.  If 
a  sermon  is  attempted,  its  introduction  and  peroration 
should  both  be  amputated,  and  what  is  left  set  on  fire  with 
earnestness.  The  closer  the  workers  are  to  the  crowd,  the 
better.  A  prayer-meeting  may  drag  itself  along  to  some 
sort  of  a  conclusion  with  twenty  feet  of  empty  benches 
between  the  people  and  the  leader,  but  in  an  open-air 
meeting  the  thing  is  utterly  impossible.  Hold  the  meeting, 
if  practicable,  so  near  to  the  church  or  other  meeting-place 
that  a  brief  after-service  may  be  held  indoors.  To  this 
service  all  who  desire  to  come  will  be  welcome.  There 
direct  personal  dealing  with  individuals  about  their  soul's 
salvation  will  be  entirely  in  place,  and  often  fruitful  of 
blessed  results. 

Home  Prayer-Meetings. 

The  prayer-meeting  in  the  home  has  long  been  a  most 
helpful  means  of  carrying  on  spiritual  work.  Community 
prayer-meetings  are  famous  in  the  history  of  revivals.  The 
Epworth  League  Chapter  is  admirably  adapted  by  its  spirit 
and  organization  to  conduct  just  such  meetings  as  these. 
They  may  be  held  at  homes  distant  from  the  church  in 
order  to  reach  people  who  are  not  reached  by  its  regular 
services.  The  homes  of  those  who  are  shut  in  by  any  man- 
ner of  infirmity  are  usually  gladly  opened  for  prayer 
service. 

In  times  of  revival  a  chain  of  home  prayer-meetings 
may  be  established  in  such  a  way  as  to  include  the  entire 
Church.  The  Fpworth  League  may  co-operate  with  the 
pastor  so  effectively  in  this  work  that  its  continuance    lor 

123 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

two  or  three  weeks  before  the  opening  of  special  revival 
services  will  pave  the  way  for  instant  victory  at  the  very 
opening  of  the  more  public  services. 

At  every  home  prayer-meeting  a  number  of  active  Chris- 
tians should  be  present  to  render  help  in  song  and  prayer. 
By  dividing  the  departments  of  the  Chapter  into  small 
groups  a  force  may  be  organized  sufficient  to  hold  home 
prayer-meetings  in  every  section  of  the  parish  on  the  same 
night. 

A  Description  Undesired. 

An  Epworthian  came  to  his  pastor  and  said,  "Where 
can  I  get  hold  of  the  paper  that  they  cut  up  for  the  meet- 
ing?" 

And  the  pastor  passed  the  query  over  to  The  Epworth 
Herald  office. 

If  the  editor  believed  that  one  out  of  a  hundred  Herald 
readers  thought  of  the  paper  in  terms  like  those,  he  would 
take  to  the  woods — for  a  while,  at  least. 

Please,  O  gentle  Epworthians,  do  n't  give  anybody  else 
cause  to  describe  your  paper  in  such  unhappy  words. 
Do  n't  cut  it  up ! 

The  Herald's  pages  on  the  devotional  meeting  are 
written  with  exceeding  care  by  the  best  writers  to  be 
found.  They  keep  in  mind  the  needs  of  the  meeting  and 
the  ability  of  the  leaders. 

But  they  do  n't  do  anybody's  thinking  for  him.  The 
material  they  provide  is  not  "ready  to  serve."  Nobody 
can  cut  it  up  and  use  it  wisely. 

Rather  should  the  leader  "read,  mark,  learn,  and  in- 
wardly digest"  it,  and  so  make  it  his  own.  Then  The  Her- 
ald's material  will  really  help  him,  and  he  will  put  the 
impress  of  his  own  mind  on  the  meeting  which  he  leads. 

Do  n't  "cut  it  up  !" 

Brief  Wisdom  for  the  Devotional  Meeting. 
The  songs  a  Chapter  sings  tell  what  soul  the  Chapter 
has. 

There  's  a  lot  more  harm  done  by  dull  meetings  in  the 
Eeague  than  by  lively  games  in  the  gymnasium.  But  dull 
meetings  are  not  compulsory. 

124 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

If  you  want  to  waste  the  time  of  the  devotional  meeting, 
do  n't  begin  until  everybody  is  present. 

Do  n't  sjjoil  your  meetings  by  using  a  poor  song-book. 

A  long  prayer-meeting  talk  is  no  sign  of  a  good  leader. 

What  should  happen  in  your  Chapter  if  you  omitted 
to  sing  one  of  the  old  stand-by  songs  for  the  next  month? 
One  answer:  The  quality  and  volume  of  the  singing  would 
be  noticeably  improved. 

One  reason  some  young  people  stay  away  from  the 
evening  preaching  service  is  that  they  have  heard  one  ser- 
mon already.  But  the  devotional  meeting  is  no  place  for 
sermons,  lay  or  ministerial. 

The  superstitious  are  never  afraid  when  the  meeting 
begins,  on  time,  with  an  appropriate  song.  For  these  are 
signs  of  a  leader  who  has  made  preparation,  which  is  the 
sign  of  a  good  meeting. 

The  leader  who  says  "Never  again,"  would  be  heartened 
if  he  knew  that  his  work  had  been  a  help  to  somebody. 
And  when  "somebody"  tells  him  so — ! 

What  makes  devotional  meeting  "helps"  so  useless  as 
substitutes  for  individual  thinking  is  the  fact  that  the  chief 
excellence  of  the  meeting  is  in  the  individuality  that  is 
put  into  it. 

Berating  the  absentees  is  a  poor  way  to  make  those 
present  feel  comfortable. 

It  is  not  a  crime  to  introduce  variety  into  the  methods 
of  the  devotional  meeting. 

To  advertise  topics  too  far  ahead  is  to  throw  away  the 
advantage  of  surprise. 

The  leader  who  says  less  than  he  had  intended  to  is 
not  beyond  the  reach  of  forgiveness. 

In  a  missionary  devotional  meeting,  ask  how  those  who 
do  n't  believe  in  missions  ought  to  revise  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

The  Bible  is  more  modern  than  yesterday's  newspaper. 
To  prove  that,  give  it  a  chance  at  to-day's  life  in  your  next 
devotional  meeting. 

The  leader  who  shuffles  the  hymn-book's  pages  in  search 
of  something  appropriate  to  sing  is  announcing  the  fact 
that  he  is  not  prepared  to  lead. 

125 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

About  once  in  nineteen  times  the  hour  may  profitably 
be  devoted  to  the  hearing  of  a  single  speaker.  But  do  n't 
let  it  happen  when  you  are  the  leader. 

No  meeting  can  be  more  devotional  than  the  people  who 
attend  it. 

It  is  a  poor  consecration  that  does  n't  last  until  the 
next  meeting. 

One  way  of  putting  variety  into  the  devotional  meeting 
is  to  put  new  people  into  it. 

Hint  to  devotional  leaders:  When  you  can't  think  of 
anything  else  to  say,  be  sure  to  tell  the  people  that  they 
must  n't  let  the  time  go  to  waste. 

A  railway  mail-clerk  told  me  the  other  day  that  the 
train  he  traveled  on  had  been  on  time  at  its  destination 
just  three  times  in  five  years.  Some  devotional  meetings 
are  worse  than  that.  They  have  n't  been  on  time  at  their 
starting  point  since  first  the  time  was  set. 

Testimony  in  meeting  is  a  good  thing,  but  it  is  not 
absolutely  necessary  as  long  as  one's  Christianity  gives  to 
others  the  sensation  of  vitality. 

An  easy  testimony  may  be  nothing  but  cheap  talk. 

There  are  seventeen  good  ways  of  conducting  a  League 
meeting,  but  beginning  ten  minutes  late  is  not  one  of  them. 

That  experimental  Chapter  of  ours  will  try  to  fill  some 
of  the  devotional  meeting  pauses  with  silent,  concerted 
prayer. 

The  First  Vice-President  at  Manhattan,  Kans.,  calls 
on  the  leader  of  the  Sunday  night  devotional  service  twenty- 
four  hours  ahead  of  the  meeting  to  make  sure  that  the 
leader  will  not  fail  him.  If  the  leader  just  can't  be  ready, 
the  First  Vice-President  will  have  everything  in  hand,  for 
the  meeting  must  not  be  a  failure.  It  is  a  first-class  idea 
for  first-class  department  heads. 

Worn-out  song-books  are  no  sign  of  good  singing. 

Life  is  too  short  to  spend  any  of  it  on  long  League 
speeches. 

Sunday  school  teachers  who  fail  are  described  by  an 
Iowa  teacher:  the  nearsighted  teacher  who  can  not  see  into 
the  background  of  the  pupils'  lives;  the  teacher  with  a 
funnel,  who   pours   the   mixture   into  the   pupils  until   the 

126 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

vessel  is  empty;  the  Mephibosheth,  lame  in  the  feet,  who 
thinks  that  all  the  work  is  done  on  Sunday ;  the  surgical 
teacher,  whose  remarks  cut,  or  sting,  or  inject  unwholesome 
virus ;  the  geyser  teacher,  who  works  by  spurts  and  fits ; 
the  Elisha's  servant  teacher,  who  can  not  see  the  mountains 
filled  with  the  chariots  of  God.  The  League  devotional 
meeting  has  had  leaders  like  these — sometimes. 

Quality  costs.  A  successful  devotional  meeting  lias  to 
be  paid  for.  But  a  shoddy  meeting,  like  a  shoddy  coat, 
costs  more  in  the  long  run. 

One  reason  for  giving  the  familiar  hymns  a  rest  in  the 
devotional  meeting  is  that  they  will  mean  more  when  they 
are  sung  next  time. 

Some  pauses  in  the  devotional  meeting  are  profitable ; 
like  the  intervals  between  the  dots  and  dashes  of  the  tele- 
graph, they  help  to  produce  an  intelligible  message.  But 
not  the  long,  long  pauses !     They  interrupt  the  message. 

If  the  Epworthians  could  have  their  way,  the  leaders 
would  not  read  long  paragraphs  in  the  devotional  meeting — 
not  even  Epworth  Herald  paragraphs. 

Take  your  Bible  to  the  League  meeting.  Maybe  the 
leader,  "as  should  n't,"  will  forget  to  bring  one — and  yours 
will  save  the  day. 

Do  n't  be  afraid  of  the  old  truths  in  the  devotional 
meeting.  Sin,  repentance,  faith,  salvation,  judgment,  eter- 
nity— they  are  all  here,  just  as  much  as  ever.  No  modern 
improvements  on  those  elemental  facts. 

Is  there  anybody  in  your  Chapter  who  comes  to  the 
League  meeting  only  when  there  's  nothing  else  to  do? 
Then  do  n't  scold ;  that  merely  makes  a  bad  matter  worse. 
But  aim  for  meetings  so  attractive  that  all  your  members 
will  come  to  feel  every  week  there  's  nothing  else  to  do. 

Put  Jesus  Christ  into  the  devotional  meeting — not  cant- 
ingly,  but  positively.  It  attracts  more  people,  especially 
young  people,  than  any  other  magnet  you  can  use. 

You  can  get  an  Epworthian  to  meeting,  but  you  can 
not  make  him  speak.     Make  him  want  to  speak! 

In  choosing  leaders,  give  a  little  attention  to  the  fitting 
of  leaders  to  topics. 

127 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  Sunday  Night  Service  and  the  Epworth  League. 

In  many  places  the  Sunday  night  service  is  one  of  the 
most  serious  problems  the  pastor  and  the  Church  are  called 
upon  to  face.  The  Church  membership  is  fairly  loyal  to 
the  morning  service,  but  does  not  consider  attendance  at 
the  evening  service  a  matter  of  vital  importance.  The 
out-of-door  attractions  in  fine  weather  and  the  charm  of 
the  home  circle  in  winter  make  the  work  of  sustaining  the 
Sunday  night  congregation  very  difficult.  Some  pastors 
meet  this  situation  by  the  use  of  special  expedients,  such 
as  illustrated  sermons,  song  services,  lecture  sermons,  ser- 
mons in  series,  and  so  forth.  In  some  places  these  ex- 
pedients are  quite  successful,  but  in  many  others  they  do 
not  sufficiently  meet  the  problem  to  be  considered  adequate 
answers  to  it. 

A  serious  element  in  the  whole  question  of  the  Sunday 
night  service  is  the  feeling  which  obtains  in  many  quarters 
that  the  Epworth  League  does  not  support  the  service  as 
it  should.  When  the  pastor  sees  the  young  people  passing 
out  of  the  church  after  the  League  meeting  while  the  scanty 
audience  for  the  evening  service  is  gathering,  the  sight  is 
not  likely  to  cheer  his  heart  or  to  intensify  the  eagerness 
and  enthusiasm  of  his  message.  The  fact  that  the  young 
people,  in  places  where  the  complaint  is  made,  are  not  dis- 
loyal in  any  larger  measure  than  other  members,  is  not 
considered.  The  other  members  have  not  come  near  the 
church.  They  are  not  seen  turning  their  backs  on  the 
church  at  the  moment  when  the  evening  service  is  begin- 
ning. Consequently  their  offense  is  likely  to  be  estimated 
less  seriously  than  that  of  the  young  people. 

In  view  of  these  and  other  facts  with  regard  to  the 
evening  service,  suppose  we  consider  a  sustained  campaign 
by  the  League  in  behalf  of  the  second  public  preaching. 

The  point  of  contact  which  justifies  such  a  campaign 
as  this  lies  in  three  facts  which  are  known  to  everybody. 
First,  the  Epworth  League  has  already  a  regular  service, 
which  in  nearly  every  case  is  set  for  the  hour  immediately 
preceding  the  Sunday  night  preaching  service.  This  is  an 
established  institution,  to  which  the  Church  everywhere  is 
thoroughly  accustomed. 

128 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

Second,  the  League  as  an  organization  is  in  such  rela- 
tion to  the  pastor  and  to  the  Church  that  it  can  help  the 
Sunday  night  service  as  no  other  agency  can  do  it. 

Third,  the  Sunday  night  service  is  the  best  opportunity 
offered  to  get  at  the  young  people  of  the  community  through 
the  young  people  of  the  Church. 

These  three  facts  all  point  to  the  Sunday  night  service 
as  coming  legitimately  within  the  scope  of  the  League's 
activities  and  interest.  Nobody  could  complain  that  devo- 
tion to  this  interest  was  affecting  unfavorably  any  other 
work  of  the  League  or  of  the  Church. 

In  order  to  make  this  campaign  really  effective,  it  ought 
to  be  carried  on  in  an  aggressive  and  spectacular,  though 
not  sensational,  fashion.  It  should  be  a  positive  movement, 
not  concerning  itself  with  the  fixing  of  blame  upon  anybody 
for  the  present  conditions,  but  rather  with  the  developing 
of  a  new  spirit  of  courage  and  aggressiveness  and  confi- 
dence. 

The  Local  League's  Part  in  this  Campaign. 

It  must  be  understood  always  and  everywhere  that  the 
local  Chapter  in  its  work  for  the  Sunday  night  service  is 
to  act  always  as  the  helper  of  the  pastor,  and  under  his 
direction.  The  interest  which  the  League  seeks  to  arouse 
is  in  a  service  of  the  Church,  not  a  service  of  or  for  the 
League.  The  pastor  is  in  charge  of  every  activity  of  the 
local  Church.  He  is  the  commander-in-chief.  The  Ep- 
worth  League  will  work  loyally  under  him  and  will  follow 
his  living  leadership   with   eagerness   and   devotion. 

This  campaign  is  not  an  intimation  from  the  Epworth 
League  or  from  anybody  that  the  Sunday  night  service 
is  a  failure.  Least  of  all  is  it  a  suggestion  that  the  pastor  is 
less  than  competent  to  do  the  work  committed  to  his  hands. 
Instead  of  these  things,  this  campaign  means  a  fuller 
acceptance  by  the  Epworth  League  of  its  share  of  re- 
sponsibility for  the  one  meeting  which  most  of  all  belongs 
to  the  young  people  who  are  just  on  the  edge  of  the  Church 
community. 

9  129 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN 

The  Two  Sunday  Night  Meetings. 

The  Rev.  P.  Ross  Parrish  suggests  some  important  con- 
siderations when  he  sa}'s:  "These  are  mutually  and  vitally 
related  interests.  No  Sunday  evening  preaching  service 
can  he  a  success  without  the  loyal  support  of  the  young 
people  who  attend  the  Epworth  League.  No  one  can  he  a 
failure  where  the  young  people  stand  by  with  enthusiasm 
and  constancy.  Note  some  of  the  reasons  why  Epworthians 
should  generously  support  the  evening  service: 

"1.  It  is  most  important  for  many  reasons.  It  can  be 
made  a  popular,  evangelistic,  and  widely  profitable  service. 
It  must  become  either  a  marked  success  or  a  dragging 
failure. 

"2.  Many  of  the  older  people  and  children  who  attend 
the  morning  service  do  not  come  in  the  evening.  The  even- 
ing service  must  be  supported  largely  by  young  people, 
youngerly  people,  and  casual  attendants. 

"3.  The  relation  of  the  Epworth  League  meeting  in 
point  of  time  to  the  preaching  service  creates  both  the  privi- 
lege and  duty  of  supporting  it. 

"1.  For  Epworthians  to  withhold  help  in  sustaining  it 
is  in  a  sense  to  tear  it  down  and  to  advertise  it  a  failure. 
Can  you  imagine  the  effect  on  the  other  young  people,  the 
general  public,  and  the  pastor  when  any  considerable  num- 
ber of  Epworthians  turn  away  from  the  church  at  the  close 
of  'their'  meeting?  We  can  not  expect  the  general  public 
to  attend  and  appreciate  the  services  of  the  Church  unless 
we  stand  loyally  by  and  set  the  example. 

"5.  In  fact,  the  fate  and  character  of  this  service  are 
largely  in  the  hands  of  the  Epworth  League  and  the  young 
people.     What  can  you  do?     Many  things. 

"(1)   Pray  especially  for  this  service  and  the  pastor. 

"(2)   Talk  it  up  everywhere. 

"(3)    Help  to  create  enthusiastic  loyalty  in  the  Chapter. 

"(4)  Begin  the  devotional  meeting  on  time  so  as  to  close 
five  or  ten  minutes  before  the  hour  for  evening  service. 
Then  you  can  be  in  your  places  sharp  on  time. 

"(5)  Never  go  away  after  the  League  meeting  except 
in  cases  of  extreme  necessity.  Nothing  is  so  damaging  to 
the  public  service  and  so  discouraging  to  the  pastor  as  this. 

130 


THE  WEEKLY  DEVOTIONAL  MEETING. 

"(G)  Let  the  members  attend  in  a  body  and  sit  directly 
in  front  of  the  pulpit.  There  is  no  objection  to  this.  It 
is  a  reasonable  request.  There  are  many  reasons  for  it. 
It  is  the  key  to  the  situation.  Your  example  will  become 
contagious.  You  can  help  the  pastor  mightily  by  sympathy , 
prayer,  song,  and  manifest  interest. 

"(7)  Appoint  a  'Welcoming  Committee'  of  young  men 
to  greet  the  people  as  they  come  in  and  go  out. 

"(8)  Various  volunteer  committees  of  one  or  two  per- 
sons each  might  select  pews  and  undertake  to  keep  them 
full  on  Sunday  night. 

"(9)  In  every  possible  way  prove  your  loyalty  to  the 
Church  and  to  the  pastor. 

"(10)  There  is  especial  need  for  this  whole-hearted 
devotion  during  the  summer.  Let  us  be  on  hand  when  wc 
are  most  needed. 

"(11)  The  Chapter  can  stand  ready  to  conduct  the 
service  now  and  then  at  the  request  of  the  pastor,  or  in 
case  of  his  sickness  or  absence." 


131 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  MORNING  WATCH,   PERSONAL 
EVANGELISM,  AND  BIBLE  STUDY. 

The  Practice  of  the  Presence. 
It  is  particularly  fitting  that  the  great  campaign  for  the 
Morning  Watch  enrollment  should  be  inaugurated  on  the 
first  Sunday  in  the  year.  This  day  is  the  beginning  of  the 
Week  of  Prayer,  many  Churches  are  in  the  midst  of  special 
revival  efforts,  the  Bible  study  classes  are  settled  in  their 
work,  and  it  is  the  commencement  of  a  new  year. 

Every  Chapter  in  Methodism  should  make  plans  to 
present  the  Morning  Watch  at  the  devotional  meeting  on 
that  day.  The  enrollment  is  not  a  new  organization,  nor 
does  it  require  a  separate  committee.  It  is  simply  an  en- 
rollment of  members  of  the  Epworth  League  and  other 
young  Christians  who  will  sign  a  card  reading  as  follows: 

comrades  of  the  morning  watch:  enroll- 
ment. 
Trusting  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for 
help,  I  will  make  it  the  rule  of  my  life  to  set 
apart  at  least  fifteen  minutes  every  day,  if 
possible  in  the  early  morning,  for  quiet  medi- 
tation, Scripture  reading,  and  prayer. 

Signature 

Address 

Please  sign  and  return  to  Central  Office  of 
the  Epworth  League. 

Many  of  the  young  people  in  the  League  strive  to  be 
regular  in  reading  their  Bibles  every  day;  but  when  the 
reading  is  done  here  and  there,  with  no  fixed  purpose,  and 
at  any  convenient  time,  it  is  likely  to  be  neglected.     The 

13a 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

Morning  Watch  suggests  a  time,  supplies  a  definite  purpose, 
and  makes  the  Bible  a  living  Book. 

Some  members  are  doing  daily  Bible  study  in  the  regular 
Epworth  League  Bible  courses.  All  such  members,  and 
those  who  are  doing  no  study  at  all,  should  become  comrades 
of  the  enrollment.  To  sign  the  card  gives  definiteness  and 
fixedness  to  one's  purpose,  gives  the  movement  the  strength 
and  inspiration  of  numbers,  and  puts  the  signer  in  a  posi- 
tion where  he  can  consistently  urge  others  to  make  a  habit 
of  daily  Bible  study  and  prayer.  The  devotional  meeting 
at  which  this  subject  is  presented  should  be  in  charge  of 
the  Eirst  Department. 

The  following  suggestions  may  prove  helpful  to  the 
committee  in  presenting  the  enrollment,  and  in  making  as 
much  of  the  day  as  possible: 

1.  The  First  Vice-President  should  order  at  once,  from 
the  Central  Office,  Chicago,  a  supply  of  Morning  Watch 
circulars  and  cards. 

2.  At  the  meeting  several  speakers  should  present  such 
topics  as  the  following:  "The  advantages  of  keeping  the 
Morning  Watch,"  "The  value  of  meditating  on  the  work 
of  God,"  "The  Morning  Watch  for  personal  spiritual 
growth,"  "The  place  of  daily  Bible  study  and  prayer  in  the 
life  of  the  young  Christian." 

3.  Where  there  are  regular  Bible  study  classes,  the 
members  of  these  classes  should  give  short  testimonies  con- 
cerning the  value  of  daily  Bible  study  to  the  spiritual  life. 

4.  A  prominent  place  should  be  given  to  those  who 
are  already  "Comrades."  Their  testimonials  should  be  so 
framed  as  to  induce  others  to  enroll. 

5.  Ask  the  pastor,  in  a  few  words,  to  endorse  the  en- 
rollment and  make  prominent  several  points,  viz. :  That 
the  enrollment  is  not  an  inflexible  pledge;  one  can  withdraw 
from  it  at  any  time ;  that  there  are  no  dues  nor  taxes ;  that 
each  one  can  decide  for  himself  how  he  will  sjDend  the 
time  eacli  day. 

6.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  the  cards  should  be 
passed,  and  after  a  few  moments  of  silent  prayer,  should 
be  signed  by  all  who  desire  to  do  so.  The  cards  should 
then   be  collected    and    forwarded   at  once  to  the   Central 

133 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Office  of  the  Epworth  League,  Chicago.  The  cards  are 
filed  and  acknowledged  by  the  bureau.  Each  signer  re- 
ceives a  neat  covenant  card  for  his  own  use.  This  covenant 
card  should  be  signed  and  placed  in  some  conspicuous 
place  where  it  can  be  seen  each  day. 

7.  The  campaign  should  not  end  at  this  meeting.  It 
will  be  but  a  beginning.  A  personal  canvass  of  the  whole 
Chapter  should  follow.  This  cavass  can  be  made  by  the 
members  of  the  Spiritual  Department,  or  by  a  specially 
appointed  committee. 

8.  In  all  the  plans  for  this  day  there  should  be  much 
prayer  by  all  concerned.  The  speakers  and  the  music 
should  be  selected  with  great  care.  The  meeting  should 
be  characterized  by  no  mere  temporary  enthusiasm,  but 
should  be  pervaded  by  an  intense,  quiet,  heart-searching 
spirit. 

The  Elements  of  the  Morning  Watch. 
Prayer. — The  secret  prayer  is  the  sense  of  relationship. 
If  we  are  God's  children,  prayer  is  not  only  essential,  but 
natural  to  us. 

"Prayer  is  the  Christian's  vital  breath, 
The  Christian's  native  air." 

Whatever  scoffers  may  say,  and  whatever  may  be  the 
claims  of  science  regarding  the  uselessness  of  prayer,  we 
have  one  sufficient  answer.  These  nineteen  hundred  }Tears 
attest,  through  the  experience  of  myriads  of  God's  saints, 
that  prayer  is  a  real  force  and  must  be  reckoned  with. 
That  is  a  good  enough  answer  for  the  critics.  For  the 
Christian  himself  there  is  a  more  vivid  proof.  In  the 
measure  that  he  has  been  a  praying  Christian  he  has 
been  a  successful  Christian.  There  are  many  causes  of 
backsliding,  but  none  are  so  certain  to  produce  that  effect 
as  the  neglect  of  the  prayer  life. 

Prayer  at  the  day's  beginning  is  likely  to  fix  the  level 
of  the  day's  living.  It  is  a  confession  of  allegiance,  and 
going  from  the  presence-chamber  of  the  King  to  a  day  of 
sinfulness  is  not  possible,  continuously.  Either  the  sinful 
day  must  be  abandoned  or  the  morning  prayer  will  be. 

Prayer  at  the  morning  hour  works  its  most  potent  spell 
134 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

upon  our  own  lives.  There  is  a  mighty  reflex  power  in 
prayer.  It  reacts  upon  ourselves.  The  morning  finds  us 
rested.  Our  minds  are  clearer  than  at  a  later  hour.  The 
day  has  not  yet  written  its  marks  of  care  and  preoccupation 
upon  our  faces  and  our  hearts.  God  has  the  first  oppor- 
tunity to  bring  moral  and  spiritual  forces  to  bear  upon  us. 
It  gives  God  the  first  fruits  of  the  day,  the  right  of  way  in 
our  lives. 

Meditation. — Meditation  is  an  old-fashioned  exercise. 
It  is  not  popular  in  the  nervous  new  civilization  of  our 
time.  It  looks  like  laziness.  It  seems  to  be  a  waste  of 
time.  In  the  city  we  must  read  the  morning  paper  at  break- 
fast, finish  it  on  the  way  to  our  work,  and  find  something 
to  be  busy  with  after  coming  home  at  night.  In  the  countnr 
the  methods  are  different,  but  the  purpose  is  the  same.  We 
dislike  to  shut  ourselves  in  with  our  own  thoughts.  Some- 
times we  are  afraid  of  ourselves,  afraid  of  what  we  will 
think  about  ourselves  when  we  are  forced  to  think,  afraid 
of  the  direction  in  which  our  thoughts  will  lead  us.  Never- 
theless, meditation  is  an  exercise  full  of  undeveloped  possi- 
bilities  for  good. 

It  is  good  that  we  should  think  about  ourselves.  The 
exercise  is  not  flattering,  perhaps,  but  it  is  wholesome. 
A  ten-minute  meditation  every  morning  may  show  us  flaws 
in  our  Christian  living  which  need  only  right  attention  to 
be  corrected.  The  moments  of  quiet  thought  may  readjust 
all  our  notions,  and  save  us  from  humiliation  and  wasted 
powers  in  the  later  hours  of  the  day.  They  make  for 
righteousness  at  the  very  springs  of  life. 

It  is  good  that  we  should  think  about  God,  what  He  is, 
what  His  providences  are,  what  He  is  seeking  to  teach 
us  by  our  daily  experiences,  what  His  great  salvation  means 
to  us,  and  what  we  can  make  it  mean  to  others.  In  a 
peculiar  sense  God  is  our  Father,  for  we  have  been  born 
into  the  family  of  God,  That  means  that  He  has  claims 
upon  us,  and  that  we  have  claims  upon  Him.  The  Morning 
Watch  may  be  made  the  communion  hour  in  which,  besides 
the  formal  prayer,  there  shall  be  sweet  and  holy  com- 
munion between  the  soul  of  the  Christian  and  his  Father 
in  heaven. 

135 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Bible  Study. — This  is  the  practical  link  that  holds  the 
Morning  Watch  to  reality.  Prayer  may  become  a  form, 
and  meditation  a  mere  dreamy  dozing,  or  a  quiet  thinking 
about  business  problems  which  nobody  will  interrupt.  The 
Bible  is  not  understood  as  it  should  be,  because  it  is  not 
rightly  used.  We  go  to  it  for  proof-tests;  for  historical, 
geographical,  biographical,  and  even  theological  facts,  but 
we  do  not  use  it  sufficiently  as  a  manual  of  devotion.  There 
is  much  in  the  Bible  that  has  charm  and  depth  of  meaning 
only  as  it  is  read  in  the  prayer  spirit. 

The  Morning  Watch  is  a  thing  of  faith.  The  Bible  is 
the  foundation  of  truth  on  which  the  structure  of  faith 
can  be  built.  The  Bible  is  here.  It  is  available,  acceptable, 
inspiring,  as  well  as  inspired.  It  asks  only  to  be  used. 
The  Morning  Watch  furnishes  the  opportunity.  If  fifteen 
minutes  to  half  an  hour  seems  too  short,  remember  that 
it  is  more  than  the  time  that  would  otherwise  be  spent, 
haphazard,  in  Bible  study. 

Then,  Bible  study  brings  to  us  the  Christ  we  need  for 
our  meditation.  Without  it  He  is  a  vague,  shadowy  figure, 
half  myth  and  half  tradition.  With  it  He  appears  as  the 
Son  of  God.  the  revelation  of  the  Father  to  the  world,  our 
Elder  Brother.  In  its  pages  we  find  Him  speaking  to 
us,  His  latest  disciples,  and  saying  to  us,  "Henceforth  I 
call  you  not  servants,  but  friends." 

A  Practical  Method  of  Keeping  the  Morning  Watch. 

Be  Alone. — That  is  your  right,  and  you  need  such  com- 
plete solitude  that  you  will  be  away  from  all  but  God. 
"When  thou  pray  est  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou 
hast  shut  the  door,  pray."  Get  away  from  all  conscious- 
ness of  the  presence  of  others.  If  you  can  not  do  that  in 
the  morning,  change  the  hour  of  your  secret  prayer  rather 
than  miss  it  altogether. 

Pray. — "When  thou  hast  shut  the  door,  pray  to  thy 
Father  which  is  in  secret."  Begin  the  watch  with  com- 
munion, that  the  consciousness  of  God's  presence  may  be 
felt  at  once.  If  you  are  out  of  hearing  of  the  rest  of  the 
family,  pray  audibly.  There  is  usually  less  difficulty  in 
concentrating  attention  on  the  prayer  if  it  is  spoken. 

13G 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

Read. — This  is  the  time  for  devotional  Bible  reading. 
Perhaps  your  prayer  has  suggested  a  passage  to  be  read. 
A  good  plan  is  to  lay  out  a  course  of  devotional  reading,  if 
possible  linking  it  with  your  work  in  Bible  study,  omitting 
those  elements  of  the  course  that  are  not  distinctly  devo- 
tional.    Read  aloud,  and  read  the  passage  twice  or  thrice. 

Think. — Before  you  go  about  your  business,  face  the 
day's  life  from  the  viewpoint  of  this  place  of  communion 
and  worship.  Many  a  time  you  will  be  able  to  avoid  tempta- 
tion and  to  see  opportunities  for  quiet  helpfulness.  You 
will  go  out  to  the  tasks  of  the  day  girded  with  a  strength 
not  your  own. 

Getting  Ready  for  a  Day's  Work — A  Morning  Watch 
Meeting. 

This  meeting  is  intended  to  promote  the  Morning  Watch 
Enrollment.  But  first  and  most  important,  it  is  intended 
to  promote  habits  of  prayer,  Scripture  reading,  and  quiet 
thinking.  These  are  simple  habits,  but  the  forming  of  them 
is  all  that  many  people  need  in  order  to  find  the  religious 
life  full  of  a  joy  and  power  they  have  not  yet  discov- 
ered. 

We  do  not  pray  enough.  We  do  not  pray  aright.  We 
do  not  give  God's  Book  a  fair  chance  at  our  lives.  We  do 
not  think  enough  on  the  things  that  concern  our  spiritual 
life.     All  these  are  facts  which  everybody  knows. 

But  how  may  we  mend  our  ways  ?  Not  by  confessing 
our  folly ;  not  by  reading  new  literature  about  these  things ; 
not  even  by  resolving  to  do  better.  There  is  a  short  road, 
a  royal  road,  out  of  our  neglect  and  weakness.  And  this 
is  it:  Begin  this  very  day  to  pray  and  read  and  meditate, 
and  hereafter  fight  against  any  influence  that  would  pre- 
vent your  taking  this  holy  exercise  every  day  that  dawns. 
.  Therefore,  the  Morning  Watch!  Not  a  new  organiza- 
tion, but  a  new  faithfulness.  It  means  exactly  what  the 
theme  suggests:  secret  prayer  and  the  devotional  reading  of 
the  Bible  at  a  set  time  every  day.  Usually  the  morning  is 
the  best  time. 

137 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Morning  Watch   Interrogations. 

What?     Prayer,  Bible  reading,  meditation. 

Why?  That  I  may  know  myself.  That  I  may  know 
God.  That  I  may  know  the  Book.  Because  we  do  not  pray 
enough.  We  do  not  pray  aright.  We  do  not  read  enough. 
We  do  not  read  aright. 

When?  In  the  morning.  Then  the  soul  is  more  open 
to  realities.  The  day  is  young.  The  world  is  still.  The 
cares  of  the  day's  affairs  have  not  been  taken  up.  The 
Morning  Watch  is  the  putting  on  of  the  armor.  If  we  wait 
for  some  other  time,  we  may  get  no  time  at  all. 

Testimony    Hints. 

If  you  have  been  a  Comrade  of  the  Morning  Watch  by 
custom,  whether  enrolled  or  not: 

Tell  how  good  the  Morning  Watch  time  has  been. 

Tell  how  it  has  helped  to  interpret  the  Book  and  make  it 
personal. 

Tell  how  it  has  put  new  vitality  into  the  life  of  prayer. 

Tell  how  you  have  managed  to  keep  up  this  daily  exer- 
cise of  the  soul  in  spite  of  hindrances. 

Then  recommend  the  good  custom  to  those  who  have  not 
tried  it. 

If  you  have  never  yet  begun  to  observe  the  stated  time  of 
prayer  and  quiet  thinking: 

Tell  why  you  have  not  begun  it. 

Tell  how  you  have  longed  for  it. 

Say  that  you  will  begin  it  now  if  you  can. 

Admit  that  you  can  do  it  if  you  will. 

Then  enroll  yourself,  and  start  now. 

What   Says  the   Scripture? 
Prayer  and  uplook  in  the  morning.     Psa.  5 :  3. 
Prayer  that  "goes  before"  God  in  the  morning.     Psa. 
88:  13.' 

Prayer  for  communion  in  the  day's  beginning.  Psa. 
143:  8. 

Strength  from  the  morning's  waiting  before  God.  Isa. 
33 :  2. 

138 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

The  command  of  Jesus  as  to  secret  prayer.     Matt.  6:  r>. 
The  Master's  Morning  Watch.     Mark  1  :  35. 
The  pledge  of  communion.      Psa.    145:8. 
The  place  of  help.     Heb.  4:  10. 
The  promise  of  fellowship  with  Christ.     Rev.  3 :  20. 
A  combination  of  power;  with  Word  and  prayer.     Eph. 
6:  17,  18. 

Treasuring  the  Word  of  God.     Deut.   11:  18. 
The  power  of  the  Word  of  God.     Heb.   i:  12. 

Reasons  for  Personal  Evangelism. 

Why  should  Christians  be  told  that  they  must  be  eager 
to  make  Christians  of  others?  We  understand  why  a  grocer 
asks  his  customers  to  secure  other  customers  for  him,  or 
why  a  newspaper  asks  its  subscribers  to  help  increase  its 
circulation.  That  is  advertising  with  the  hope  of  profit 
arising  from  it. 

But  is  not  religion  a  different  thing?  Are  we  not 
dealing  with  something  too  delicate  and  too  sacredly  per- 
sonal to  justify  our  interference?  The  inner  life  is  a 
secret  and  private  concern.  Why  should  we  invade  the 
seclusion  of  a  man's  soul  when  we  would  scorn  to  venture, 
unbidden,  into  his  home? 

The  answer  has  four  forms. 

We  would  venture  unbidden  into  a  man's  house  if  it 
were  necessary  to  warn  him  of  some  great  danger.  Pro- 
priety is  all  very  well,  but  in  time  of  peril  we  set  is  aside. 
And  so,  because  Christians  believe  that  all  who  are  not 
Christ's  are  in  real  peril,  and  threatened  by  suffering  more 
terrible  than  any  earthly  calamity  could  bring,  they  believe 
that  the  unconverted  must  be  reproved,  warned,  exhorted 
"to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come." 

Another  phase  of  the  answer  is  that  the  Christian  life 
is  so  full  of  privilege  and  promise  that  every  real  Chris- 
tian desires  others  to  know  its  power  and  blessedness.  If 
propriety  permits  a  good  newspaper  to  be  advertised  by 
its  readers,  or  a  great  remedy  to  be  made  public  by  those 
who  have  been  benefited,  there  is  a  thousand-fold  greater 
reason  for  seeking  to  win  our  friends  to  Christ.  He  trans- 
forms life.      He  makes  all   things  new.      He  implants   the 

130 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

power  of  an  endless  life  in  the  center  of  being.  It  is  a 
marvelous  change.  It  has  come  to  us.  We  would  that  it 
might  come  to  others. 

The  third  reason  for  personal  evangelism  is  that  it  is 
God's  plan  for  spreading  the  glad  tidings.  He  purposes 
that  Christians  shall  win  Christians.  In  most  cases  a 
direct  personal  interview  will  clinch  a  sermon  or  a  book  or 
a  speech,  when  to  preach  another  sermon  or  write  another 
book  or  deliver  another  speech  would  result  in  total  failure. 

The  fourth  reason  is  that  personal  evangelism  is  neces- 
sary to  maintain  our  own  Christian  life.  Without  some 
attempt  to  win  others  to  our  faith,  we  can  not  hope  to 
retain  that  faith  in  vigor  and  clearness.  He  who  can  not 
recommend  Christ  to  others  will  soon  lose  his  own  interest 
in  the  Savior. 

We  are  beginning  to  learn  that  it  is  a  mistake  to  con- 
fine our  attention  to  the  crowd.  Religion  is  so  intensely 
personal  and  individual  that,  no  matter  how  general  a  spir- 
itual movement  may  be,  each  person  has  a  separate,  distinct 
relation  to  it.  Every  case  of  conversion  is  the  conversion 
of  an  individual.  You  can  not  save  the  masses,  or  the  sub- 
merged tenth,  or  the  other  convenient  rhetorical  groups 
of  people.  You  must  save  men  and  women  one  at  a  time. 
This  was  the  method  of  the  Master.  His  greatest  messages, 
His  most  careful  ministries,  and  His  most  successful  labors 
were  all  for  the  benefit  of  the  individual. 

Peter,  Nathanael,  the  EthiojDian  ambassador,  and  the 
Roman  centurion,  all  were  brought  to  Jesus  by  the  same 
simple  method.  There  were  great  sermons  in  apostolic 
times,  and  great  results  came  from  them.  But  the  care 
taken  in  the  New  Testament  to  record  the  winning  of  in- 
dividuals by  individuals  has  much  meaning.  The  record  is 
for  our  encouragement  and  our  example.  The  preaching  of 
great  sermons  to  vast  multitudes  is  good,  but  it  can  not  be 
done  everywhere,  or  by  everybody,  and  if  it  could  it  is  not 
the  ideal  way.  Faith  in  Christ  is  an  intensely  personal 
thing.      It  is  awakened  by  direct,  personal,  private  labor. 

Personal  Christian  work  is  the  best  evangelism,  there- 
fore, because  it  is  personal.  A  book  can  demonstrate  the 
binomial  theorem.     But  the  plan  of  salvation  is  best  com- 

140 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

prehended  when  it  is  emphasized  and  illustrated  by  a  saved 
sinner. 

Some  people  come  to  Jesus  Christ  of  their  own  accord ; 
but  those  who  do  n't  must  be  sought.  We  are  not  free  from 
responsibility  until  we  have  done  all  we  can  to  find  them. 

Where  are  they?  Who  are  they?  They  are  near;  else 
we  could  not  do  personal  evangelism.  They  are  nearer  than 
we  had  thought,  Andrew's  brother,  Philip's  friend,  the  even- 
ing's caller,  the  wayside  acquaintance,  the  beggar  at  the 
door,  the  unconverted  people  of  your  Church. 

All  this  means  that  the  Epworth  League's  purpose,  to 
try  "to  help  others  attain  the  highest  New  Testament 
standard  of  experience  and  life,"  must  be  accomplished 
largely  by  personal  work.  Personal  Christian  work  is  not 
easily  done.  It  is,  perhaps,  the  most  difficult  form  of  Chris- 
tian service.  But  at  the  same  time  it  is  the  most  valuable 
form,  richest  in  benefits  to  the  worker  and  in  results.  It 
requires  a  measure  of  personal  spiritual  life  that  is  not  so 
markedly  demanded  by  any  other  form  of  religious  work. 
One  can  do  so  many  things  in  connection  with  the  Church 
and  the  Epworth  League  without  possessing  the  highest 
and  most  definite  personal  experience.  But  the  work  of 
seeking  others  and  dealing  with  them  face  to  face  con- 
cerning their  salvation  can  not  be  done  when  the  spiritual 
life  is  at  low  ebb.  The  prayer-life  must  be  unobstructed 
and  the  sense  of  communion  with  God  uninterrupted. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  the  personal  worker  should 
seek  the  fullness  of  the  Christian  life  for  himself.  Then 
there  must  be  the  most  complete  and  most  unquestioning 
dedication  of  his  powers  to  this  work.  With  such  a  begin- 
ning the  fear  of  man  will  become  an  unimportant  thing. 
The  Bible  should  be  studied  for  its  bearing  on  the  matter 
of  personal  salvation.  Then,  here  are  a  few  simple  rules 
of  approach: 

Be  natural  when  speaking  of  spiritual  things. 

Avoid  denunciation  or  positive  statements  concerning 
particular  sins.  Leave  these  to  the  conscience,  as  it  is 
enlightened  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Do  not  be  too  careful.  Prefer  an  occasional  mistake 
to  the  missing  of  an  opportunity. 

141 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

As  a  rule,  do  not  try  to  do  personal  spiritual  work  in 
a  crowd. 

Use  simple  language,  and  avoid  as  much  as  possible 
those  stereotyped  phrases  which  everybody  recognizes,  but 
which  have  ceased  to  convey  any  definite  meaning. 

Do  not  argue.  Seek  for  points  of  agreement  rather 
than  for  points  of  difference. 

Be  free  to  make  use  of  your  own  experience. 

As  much  as  possible,  confine  your  work  to  those  of 
your  own  sex  and  age. 

Urge  prompt  action. 

Secure  co-operation  in  prayer.  It  is  a  great  gain  if  the 
unsaved  can  be  induced  to  pray  for  himself. 

Do  not  tell  any  one  that  he  is  saved.  He  will  find 
that  out  from  a  better  authority  than  you  are. 

The  beginning  of  personal  work  need  not  be  postponed 
until  you  have  a  great  number  of  people  among  whom  to 
begin.  There  is  some  one  already  near  to  you  whom  you 
know  and  to  whom  you  can  go  without  need  of  introduction 
or  special  ceremony.  That  one  is  the  first  person  to  whom 
your  duty  calls  you. 

When  decisions  have  been  reached  there  is  great  need 
for  care  and  the  following  up  of  each  individual  case.  Do 
not  drop  the  acquaintance  when  the  first  great  purpose  of 
your  work  has  been  accomplished.  You  have  not  only 
brought  a  soul  to  Christ,  but  you  have  won  a  friend.  Offer 
all  possible  help  in  the  beginning  of  a  new  social  life. 
Enlist  the  co-operation  of  a  few  warm-hearted,  congenial 
Christians.  Secure  your  new-found  friend  as  a  member  of 
the  Epworth  League,  and  set  him  to  work  at  once  at  some 
definite  task. 

Believe  They  Are  Worth  Winning. 
There  is  nothing  like  it  for  rousing  the  desire  to  win 
people  to  Christ.  So  long  as  we  can  not  see  any  great  gain 
in  it,  a  thousand  things  will  prevent  us  from  becoming  soul- 
winners.  But  when  we  put  right  values  on  eternal  des- 
tinies and  on  the  influences  which  shape  those  destinies, 
hindrances  disappear. 

142 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

God  believes  in  the  worth  of  human  souls.  His  plan 
to  save  them  is  His  measure  of  their  value.  Our  Lord  put 
the  divine  estimate  of  a  soul's  worth  into  a  form  we  could 
understand  when  He  gave  Himself  to  save  sinners. 

We  say  we  are  profoundly  grateful  for  the  personal  in- 
terest of  Jesus  Christ  in  our  own  souls.  But  He  is  no  more 
interested  in  us  than  in  the  millions  who  have  never  con- 
fessed Him.  If  our  gratitude  measures  our  opinion  of  what 
He  has  done  for  us,  should  it  not  send  us  to  these  others 
that  they  may  share  our  joy? 

Three  Methods. 

Direct  Personal  Appeal. — It  is  the  surest  way,  though 
often  the  most  difficult  at  the  outset.     It  was  Jesus'  way. 

The  Printed  Page. — Much  as  some  people  may  sneer 
at  tracts,  God  has  greatly  honored  them  in  the  past,  and 
will  continue  to  do  so.  The  form  of  the  tract  has  been 
improved,  and  sometimes  it  becomes  a  full-fledged  book. 
But  in  any  form,  wisely  used,  it  will  help  in  the  work  of 
soul-winning. 

Letters. — When  you  can  not  go  in  person,  you  can  send 
a  letter.  Choose  the  moment  of  unusual  experience,  some 
sorrow,  some  affliction,  or  even  some  advancement  and  gain, 
to  write  a  note  of  sympathy  and  cheer  to  the  person  con- 
cerned.   That  is  the  mother's  way.    How  often  it  succeeds ! 

Ten  Pointed  Questions,  Plus  One. 

What  is  the  best  form  of  evangelistic  work  for  the 
needs  of  the  present  day? 

Is  it  true  that  most  Christians  have  never  won  a  single 
soul  to  Christ?     What  shall  we  do  about  it? 

What  is  the  best  way  to  win  souls   for  Christ? 

What  is  the  first  requirement  of  a  soul- winner? 

Am  I  willing  to  go  empty-handed  into  God's  presence 
from  my  present  place  of  opportunity? 

In  my  present  spiritual  condition  am  I  fit  to  attempt 
personal  work? 

Considering  my  present  way  of  life,  would  any  one  who 
knows  me  be  willing  to  receive  spiritual  counsel  from  me? 

143 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Who  is  the  first  person  I  ought  to  try  to  win  for  Christ? 

Would  my  nearest  friends  be  greatly  surprised  if  I 
should   approach   them   about   their   salvation? 

Suppose  I  should  try  to  win  somebody  to  the  Christian 
life,  do  I  know  how  to  go  about  it? 

In  view  of  the  answers  to  these  ten  questions,  what  is 
the  first  thing  I  ought  to  do  as  a  Christian? 

How  Your  Chapter  May  Begin. 

Determine  that  you  will  begin. 

Make  the  Chapter  a  "Win  One  Society,"  not  in  form, 
but  in  fact. 

A  passion  for  souls  may  be  roused  by  skillful  use  of 
the  Bible. 

No  fault-finding;  loyalty  to  the  great  purpose  of  the 
movement. 

Agree  with  two  or  three  others  that  you  will  seek  the 
salvation  of  certain  individuals. 

Make  a  record  of  those  for  whom  some  member  is  spe- 
cially concerned. 

Cottage  prayer-meetings  afford  fine  opportunities  for 
personal  dealing  with  individuals. 

Never  be  discouraged. 

Real  Hindrances. 

Inconsistent  living  spoils  the  work  of  many  a  would-be 
soul-winner.  There  is  no  critic  like  the  unconverted  ob- 
server of  a  Christian's  conduct.  You  must  not  live  on  his 
level  if  you  are  in  earnest  about  helping  him  higher. 

But  the  removal  of  this  hindrance  is  a  double  gain.  A 
consistent  Christian  life  is  in  itself  a  great  reward.  It 
means  peace,  joy,  confidence.  And  it  makes  possible  the 
greatest  service  earth  knows — the  leading  of  others  to  the 
love  and  presence  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Unbelief  is  a  real  obstacle.  If  you  do  not  believe  in 
God,  that  He  can  save  souls,  or  in  yourself,  that  you  seek 
souls,  or  in  the  unsaved,  that  they  need  salvation,  you  can 
never  win  souls  to  Jesus  Christ. 

Where  is  your  unbelief?  Surely  not  in  God's  readiness, 
if  you  believe  in  Him  at  all.     Surely  not  in  the  sinner's 

144 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

need,  after  all  you  have  seen  of  godless  lives.  Is  it  in  your 
lack  of  confidence  in  yourself?  Get  that  confidence  by 
whatever  means  you  may.  Pray,  depend  on  God,  and 
begin!  We  learn  to  do  hy  doing,  not  by  doubting  or  by 
theorizing.      Begin    with    the   opportunity   nearest   you. 

Over-sensitiveness  keeps  many  Christians  from  the  di- 
rect work  of  soul-winning.  They  are  unwilling  to  attempt 
such  pointed  and  definite  effort.  They  fear  repulse  or 
criticism,  or  discovery  of  their  own  unfitness.  Some  of 
these  things  may  be  imaginary,  but  the  fear  of  them  is  real 
and  a  great  obstacle. 

There  is  no  remedy  for  it  except  the  acceptance  of  one's 
plain  duty  and  the  conviction,  "I  can  do  all  things  through 
Christ."  That  will  come  by  prayer  and  quiet  meditation, 
and  by  complete  surrender  of  life  to  the  purposes  of  God. 

Imaginary   Hindrances. 

"People  resent  being  appealed  to  so  directly."  They 
do  if  the  approach  is  made  without  tact,  or  by  some  one 
in  whom  they  have  no  confidence.  But  very  few  will  resent 
the  coming  of  one  whom  they  respect  if  there  is  evidence 
of  genuine  feeling  and  interest. 

"I  do  not  know  how  to  argue  with  unbelievers."  It  is 
not  necessary.  They  do  not  need  argument.  Most  people 
who  have  not  accepted  Christ  do  not  need  to  be  convinced ; 
they  need  to  be  convicted.  You  may  be  the  messenger  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  doing  the  work  of  conviction. 

"I  have  had  no  experience."  Neither  Philip  nor  An- 
drew was  experienced  when  they  won  Nathanael  and  Simon 
There  is  no  way  to  get  experience  unless  you  make  a  be- 
ginning. Find  your  Simon,  your  Nathanael.  They  are  not 
far  away.  You  need  not  many  words.  Simply:  "I  have 
found  Christ.  You  may  find  Him."  That  is  the  heart 
and  art  of  soul-winning. 

"I  am  too  busy  to  give  the  time  such  important  work 
requires."  You  are  not  too  busy  to  eat  or  sleep,  or  to  do 
any  other  necessary  thing.  Only  accept  the  truth  that  this 
is  necessary  work  and  you  will  find  time  for  it,  even  if  it 
compels  the  giving  up  of  some  less  important  occupations. 

"I  am  not  sufficiently   familiar  with  the  Bible."      That 
10  145 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

is,  in  part,  a  real  hindrance,  but  it  is  not  insurmountable. 
Soul-winning  is  one  of  the  strongest  incentives  to  Bible 
study.  Try  to  win  some  one  to  Christ  and  you  will  dis- 
cover a  new  urgency  toward  knowing  your  Bible.  But 
you  know  at  least  enough  of  the  Bible  to  make  a  start. 

The  P'ull  Program  and  the  Empty  Life. 

Adult   evangelism  is   the   most   difficult   evangelism. 

We  all  know  of  men  and  women  who  in  middle  life  have 
come  into  real  obedience  to  Jesus  Christ.  But  these  in- 
stances are  pitifully  few,  and  the  multitudes  of  adults  who 
grow  day  by  day  less  responsive  to  the  Christian  appeal  are 
great  beyond  counting. 

Why  ?  Why  must  it  be  that  one  who  has  missed  or 
refused  the  call  of  Christ  in  youth  is  doomed  to  hear  it  so 
little  in  the  maturer  years  ? 

Because  only  youth  has  time  enough ! 

In  the  noonday  a  man's  program  of  life  is  full.  He 
has  mortgaged  so  much  to  the  business  of  making  a  living, 
so  much  to  whatever  form  of  recreation  attracts  him,  so 
much  to  treading  the  beaten  track  of  every  day's  routine, 
that  he  has  no  place  for  the  tremendous  demand  on  his 
attention  that  religion  would  make. 

Try  him  even  on  insignificant  matters  of  new  concern. 
Attempt  to  get  the  middle-aged  man  interested  in  numis- 
matics, or  radioactivity,  or  the  poetry  of  Alfred  Noyes.  He 
will  say,  "I  have  no  time,"  or,  "These  things  do  n't  interest 
me,"  and  he  teJIs  the  truth.  Yet  none  of  them  would  ask 
so  much  time  or  so  great  a  change  in  his  bearing  toward 
the  world  as  the  giving  of  himself  to  Jesus  Christ. 

The  tragedy  of  a  mature  life  without  religion  is  that 
it  has  no  room  for  religion.     It  has  no  open  spaces. 

Your  friend  who  is  not  a  Christian  is  not  therefore 
likely  to  die  a  drunkard,  or  to  become  a  criminal,  or  to 
acquire  a  positive  preference  for  wickedness.  He  will  con- 
tinue to  be,  most  likely,  a  good  neighbor.  He  will  not  lose 
his  position  and  come  to  poverty.  He  will  probably  vote 
against  the  saloon,  and  stand  for  good  government,  and  be 
generous  toward  those  in  distress.  He  will  be  kind  to  his 
family,  and   true  to  his    friends. 

14G 


MORNING  WATCH.  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

He  will  lack  just  one  thing.  He  will  be  as  good  as  a 
man  can  be  who  is  God-less.  And  he  will  have  become 
so  used  to  the  full  program  of  his  life  that  he  will  not  know 
how  to  make  room  for  the  thing  he  lacks. 

The  urgent  reason  why  every  young  Christian  should 
seek  to  win  his  friend  to  the  Christian  confession  and  the 
Christian  scheme  of  life  is  that  there  will  soon  be  no  chance 
to  do  it. 

Only  the  young  can  be  attracted  by  the  Christian 
adventure.  The  man  of  affairs  is  already  busy  with  his 
own  enterprises. 

Personal  evangelism  in  the  Epworth  League  is  an  evan- 
gelism of  the  soul's  open  spaces,  of  the  mind  still  at  leisure, 
of  the  daring  spirit  which  has  not  yet  been  quenched.  It 
belongs  to  the  time  when  there  is  yet  room  to  get  religion 
into  one's  program  without  making  a  place  for  it  with 
dynamite.  Of  course,  when  the  chance  offers,  and  there 
is  no  other  means,  it  is  even  worth  while  that  the  gospel 
should  blast  its  way  into  the  soul,  shattering  all  that  hin- 
ders it. 

But  so  Christ  did  not — does  not — prefer  it.  He  covets 
the  young,  that  their  lives  may  grow  up,  around  their  loy- 
alty to  Him,  in  perfect  naturalness.  He  desires  disciple- 
ship  that  need  never  know  the  preoccupations  of  a  program 
that  has  no  room  for  God. 

SoUL-WlNNING  A  GLORIOUS   SERVICE. 

(This  is  a  rough  analysis  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Mahood's  book, 
"The  Art  of  Soul-Winning."  The  book  is  abundantly  worth 
studying  by  all  who  covet  success  as  soul-winners.) 

The  soul-winner's  motive  is  the  love  of  Christ.  Soul- 
winning  is  largely  a  thing  of  personal  work,  rather  than 
of  work  with  the  mass.  Some  of  the  greatest  trophies  of 
the  gospel  were  won  by  direct  efforts  at  soul-winning, 
among  them  D.  L.  Moody,  Colonel  H.  H.  Hadley,  Lord 
Shaftesbury,  J.  Wilbur  Chapman,  John  R.  Mott,  and  many 
others. 

No  one  can  measure  the  worth  of  a  soul,  as  no  one  can 
sound  the  depths  that  are  reached  ir  the  death  of  a  soul. 

117 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

But  the  supreme  motive  for  soul-winning  is  the  love  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  soul-winner's  life  must  be  a  life  of  surrender  to 
God.  Before  he  can  win  others,  he  himself  must  have  been 
won.  He  must  surrender  of  his  life  to  the  leadership  and 
will  of  God. 

He  must  really  know  that  he  has  found  the  joy  of  sal- 
vation. 

He  must  be  a  praying  Christian,  given  to  prayer,  be- 
lieving in  it,  successful  in  it. 

He  must  be  full  of  positive  faith,  implicitly  believing 
God  and  going  about  his  work  without  doubting. 

He  must  be  a  self-sacrificing  Christian,  denying  himself 
for  the  sake  of  his  great  business  in  life. 

The  soul-winner's  equipment  must  be  as  varied  as  his 
work  is  important. 

The  Scripture  is  the  sword  of  the  Spirit.  It  is  the  soul- 
winner's  best  weapon.  The  more  he  knows  his  Bible  the 
more  his  life  will  be  enriched  and  his  zeal  inspired. 

There  are  ways  of  approach  to  every  unsaved  soul,  and 
the  soul-winner  must  search  for  the  best  way  in  every  case. 
That  means  tact,  good  sense,  adaptability. 

But  nothing  will  do  without  earnestness.  If  you  do  n't 
seem  to  care  about  my  soul,  I  shall  not  be  impressed  by 
what  you  say.  The  eager  are  the  best  soul-winners.  They 
want  to  win. 

It  is  easy  to  get  discouraged.  But  look  at  the  can- 
vasser. If  he  makes  forty  calls  and  gets  only  six  orders 
in  a  day,  he  will  try  again  to-morrow.  The  thirty-four 
rebuffs  do  n't  discourage  him.  If  ninety-nine  souls  refuse 
your  help,  the  one  hundredth  who  yields  is  worth  all  your 
effort. 

To  feel  a  great  responsibility  for  souls  is  all-important. 
The  burden  of  souls  is  not  easy,  but  without  it  no  souls  can 
be  won. 

The  supreme  equipment  of  the  soul-winner  is  a  personal 
Pentecost.  The  Holy  Spirit  will  go  with  us  to  seek  the 
lost  if  we  will  receive  Him.  Without  Him  we  can  not  go 
at  all. 

148 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

The  soul-winner's  methods  should  be  "anything  to  save 
souls." 

Direct  approach  is  for  most  cases  the  effective  way  to 
begin  personal  work.  It  can  not  be  evaded,  and  if  lovingly 
and  tactfully  done,  it  can  not  be  resented. 

The  consecrated  pen  can  help  when  direct  approach 
is  not  possible  or  wise.  A  letter  written  at  an  opportune 
moment  may  turn   a   soul   toward   Christ. 

Make  a  prayer  list.  It  has  elements  of  value  that  can 
not  be  told  to  those  who  have  not  tried  it. 

Be  prepared  to  meet  all  the  common  objections  of  the 
unsaved.  A  score  of  these  objections  are  met  repeatedly 
in  revival  meetings  and  in  personal  work.  Get  familiar  with 
them  and  with  the  answers  to  them. 

No  sincere,  faithful  effort  at  soul-winning  can  fail.  It 
may  not  always  produce  instant  results,  but  it  will  not  fail, 
because  God  and  His  Christ  have  put  into  it  all  the  pur- 
pose and  power  of  the  plan  of  salvation. 

The  First  Department  and  Holy  Week. 

Passion  Week  is  of  all  weeks  the  most  appropriate  for 
the  acknowledgment  of  Jesus  Christ  as  King. 

It  opens  with  Palm  Sunday,  the  day  of  the  Triumphal 
Entry.  What  better  day  than  this  for  any  serious-hearted 
youth  to  follow  the  example  of  the  young  people  of  Jerusa- 
lem, who  welcomed  the  Christ  to  His  own  city? 

In  thousands  of  Churches  there  are  special  services 
during  Passion  Week.  These  are  young  people's  services 
as  truly  as  they  can  be  anything  else.  They  all  make  their 
central  theme  the  amazing  work  and  personality  of  Him 
who,  with  all  His  marks  of  divinity,  was  a  Young  Man 
who  loved  all  youth  and  coveted  it  for  His  Kingdom. 

And  Easter  Day !  That  should  be  youth's  day,  for  it 
is  the  day  that  proves  life's   endless  youthfulness. 

The  Epworth  League  Chapter  that  throws  itself  each 
year  into  this  opportunity  will  find  a  richer  reward  than 
the  consciousness  of  having  observed  Holy  Week  piously. 
Its  own  life  will  be  strengthened  and  enlarged. 

Get  your  share  of  the  gain  of  the  time  by  giving  your 
149 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Church  and  pastor  the  full  measure  of  service,  and  your 
Master  the  full  measure  of  devotion. 

Doing  It  By  Hand. 

We  are  beginning  to  learn  that  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  salvation  by  machinery.  Boards,  committees,  societies, 
brotherhoods,  leagues,  and  all  the  rest  are  exceedingly  use- 
ful, but  none  of  them  is  a  substitute  for  personal  service 
in  behalf  of  the  unsaved.  No  one  can  escape  the  responsi- 
bility indicated  in  the  story  of  the  Good  Samaritan  by 
sending  a  check  to  the  secretary  of  the  Society  for  the  Re- 
lief of  Distressed  Travelers  on  the  Jericho  Road. 

Religion  is  so  intensely  personal  and  individual  that, 
no  matter  how  general  a  spiritual  movement  may  be,  each 
person  has  a  separate,  distinct  relation  to  it.  Every  case 
of  conversion  is  the  conversion  of  an  individual.  You  must 
save  men  and  women  one  at  a  time.  This  was  the  method 
of  the  Master.  His  greatest  messages,  His  most  careful 
ministries,  and  His  most  successful  labors  were  all  for  the 
benefit  of  the  individual. 

The  intent  of  God  is  that  every  saved  sinner  shall  be  a 
means  of  saving  other  sinners.  It  is  the  most  natural  and 
simple  plan  that  could  have  been  devised.  A  sinner  saved 
by  grace  knows  how  great  a  wretchedness  he  has  escaped, 
and  he  knows  others  who  are  still  in  bondage.  Who  could 
be  so  attractive  to  a  company  of  slaves  as  one  of  their  num- 
ber who  had  discovered  a  way  to  freedom?" 

"If  our  religion  is  true,"  says  a  wise  man,  "we  are  in 
duty  bound  to  preach  it."  But  it  is  more  than  a  duty.  It 
is  a  joy.  "To  preach  deliverance  to  the  captives"  is  the 
finest  of  all  occupations,  when  one  has  come  into  the  liberty 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  Win-My-Chum  Movement. 

In  the  fall  of  1913  a  movement  was  begun  by  the 
General  Secretary,  Dr.  W.  F.  Sheridan,  acting  on  a  League 
effort  in  Montana  that  attracted  his  attention,  which  was 
called  "the  Win-My-Chum  Movement." 

150 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

A  week  in  November  was  appointed  as  "Win-My-Chuin 
Week."  For  a  month  before  this  appointed  date  those 
Chapters  which  went  into  the  enterprise  were  busy  with 
preparation,  and  then  gave  themselves  wholly  to  the  work 
in  the  week  set  apart. 

The  Central  Office  sent  out  detailed  directions,  as  it 
will  do  every  year.  But  the  gains  of  the  week  were  due, 
as  Tfo.  Sheridan  asserted,  to  the  genuine  concern  and  the 
direct  dealing  of  the  young  people  themselves  for  and  with 
their  "chums." 

It  will  serve  the  purpose  of  this  special  effort  to  present 
here  some  of  the  outstanding  principles  of  the  "Win-My- 
Chum"  philosophy. 

"win-my-chum"  reflections. 

There  may  be  other  ways  of  serving  God  in  the  world 
to  come,  but  there  is  only  one  way  in  this  world — the  work 
of  bringing  all  men  into  the  family  of  God.  All  Christian 
service,  of  whatever  form,  must  have  that  as  its  great  pur- 
pose. There  is  no  service,  otherwise,  nor  any  worship, 
either. 

For  service  there  must  be  power.  God's  work  will  not 
do  itself.  Wishing  will  not  do  it.  Praying  will  not  do  it, 
though  prayer  will,  for  real  prayer  has  the  power  promised 
to  it. 

Since  all  men  are  related  to  me,  I  am  in  a  certain  way 
less  free  than  if  I  were  alone  in  the  world.  Robinson 
Crusoe  lost  his  absoute  freedom  of  action  when  Friday 
appeared.  Some  things  I  may  no  longer  do.  Other  things 
I  now  must  do.     I  have  my  brother  to  consider. 

What  was  it  which  gave  Jerry  McAuley  his  strange 
power  over  the  wretched  outcasts  of  Water  Street?  Not 
learning,  nor  eloquence,  nor  logic,  nor  zeal,  but  the  per- 
suasiveness that  grew  out  of  his  utter  sincerity  and  his 
unbounded  love  toward  them.  They  believed  in  him,  and 
that  made  it  easy  to  believe  his  message.  The  same  thing 
is  true  of  Harry  Monroe,  who,  at  Pacific  Garden  Mission, 
to  this  day  preaches  a  gospel  for  the  lost  which  the  lost 
are  ready  to  accept  because  of  the  preacher's  personal  in- 
fluence with  them. 

151 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  Christian  does  not  stop  before  every  action  and  re- 
mind himself  that  he  is  about  to  do  something  in  Christ's 
name  and  for  Christ's  sake.  He  does  it  without  thinking, 
because  it  is  the  expression  of  the  Christ-life  within  him. 
And  so  lie  is  often  surprised  when  he  is  reminded  of  it. 

To  invest  our  lives  profitably  we  shall  need  Christ's 
estimate  of  a  human  soul.  He  measured  it  against  all 
things  seen — "the  world" — and  counted  the  world  well  lost 
if  the  soul  were  saved. 

When  a  man  starts  unready  on  God's  work  he  soon  gets 
tired.  That  explains  the  reformer  who  needs  reformation, 
the  preacher  who  succeeds  better  in  business,  the  evangelist 
who  has  broken  down,  and  the  nominal  Christian  who  is 
taking  a  permanent  vacation  from  Christian  work.  These 
have  seen  no  vision,  have  felt  no  compelling  incitement,  have 
heard  no  voice  of  promise  and  power.  They  have  not  put 
themselves  where  God  could  say,  "I  will  be  with  thee." 
And  they  are  failures. 

The  Evangelism  of  a  Person. 

When  you  were  converted,  the  whole  world  not  only 
seemed  different;  it  was  different. 

Winning  a  companion  to  the  Christian  life  is  not  the 
end,  but  the  beginning  of  a  holy  task. 

It  costs  sixty  dollars,  they  say,  to  save  a  soul  in  China. 
Yes ;  sixty  dollars — and  Calvary  ! 

To  do  personal  evangelism,  first  get  personal  power, 
and  then  a  personal  relationship  to  the  man  you  're  after. 

The  reason  some  revival  efforts  are  fruitless  is  that  the 
people  think  the  effort  must  end  when  the  meetings  close. 

If  you  reported  conversions  in  your  Chapter  last  year, 
this  is  a  good  time  to  inquire  what  has  become  of  the  young 
people  who  were  converted. 

If  personal  evangelism  really  meant  in  the  Epworth 
League  what  it  may  mean,  the  League  could  win  as  many 
people  to  Jesus  Christ  as  the  whole  Church  gained  last  year. 

It  is  better  for  ten  Epworthians  to  talk  to  ten  of  their 
intimate   friends   about   enlisting  in  the   service   of   Christ 

152 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

than  for  the  Chapter  to  hold  an  aimless  meeting  on  "Per- 
sonal Evangelism." 

Who  Is  "My  Chum?" 

It  would  be  glorious  if  every  Epworthian  who  has  an 
unconverted  friend  should  win  him  to  the  new  obedience  to 
Jesus  Christ  during  the  week  of  special  effort. 

That  will  not  be  done;  for  some  Epworthians  will  miss 
their  chance,  and  some  of  the  unconverted  will  turn  away 
from  the  invitation.  It  is  always  so ;  the  seamy  side  of 
personal  freedom  shows  plain  at  times  like  these. 

But  some  Epworthians  will  not  be  content  to  work  for 
the  conversion  of  one  person  only.  They  will  seek  larger 
opportunities.     And  they  will  count  much  in  the  outcome. 

Chums  are  not  many ;  it  is  not  easy  for  the  average 
young  person  to  have  more  than  one  at  a  time.  Then,  how 
can  the  word  be  made  to  stretch  a  little  for  the  needs  of 
these  in  the  "Win-My-Chum"  campaign  who  would  win 
more  than  one? 

A  moment's  thinking  will  show  how  that  is  possible. 

A  chum  is  somebody  you  care  enough  about  to  associate 
with  on  terms  of  mutual  confidence  and  interest.  You 
choose  your  chum  because  you  see  in  him  qualities  which 
appeal  to  you.     He  responds  for  the  same  reason. 

Many  a  time  the  only  thing  needed,  if  you  would  discover 
a  new  chum,  is  to  look  at  somebody  with  new  eyes.  Instead 
of  seeing  the  commonplace,  familiar  aspect  of  an  ordinary 
individual  whose  personality  has  no  interest  for  you,  you 
may  see,  if  you  look  for  it,  a  character  worth  cultivating, 
a  capacity  worth  controlling,  a  life  worth  influencing.  All 
that,  and  more,  may  be  included  in  the  time-honored  notion 
that  here  is  a  soul  worth  saving. 

But  you  must  look,  or  this  vision  will  be  missed.  "Jesus, 
looking  on  him,  loved  him." 

To  win  a  new  chum,  first  look  with  new  eyes  at  some 
old  acquaintance. 

A  Big  Contract — Can  I  Make  Good? 
To  "win-my-chum"  may  be  harder  than  taking  a  city; 
and  more  glorious. 

153 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTIIIAN. 

"My  chum"  is  the  closest  student  of  what  the  religion 
of  Jesus  has  done  for  me. 

"My  chum"  has  a  fair  working  knowledge  of  my  weak 
points.     He  has  seen  me  when  I  was  ashamed  of  myself. 

"My  chum"  has  talked  baseball  to  me,  and  college,  and 
girls,  and  business,  and  books,  and  dreams  of  the  future — 
but  we  have  never  talked  religion  much. 

That  is  not  bad ;  it  is  human  nature.  Religion  is  not 
so  easy  to  talk  about  as  baseball,  because  it  is  so  much 
bigger  and  more  sacredly  personal. 

But  now  that  I  am  going  to  talk  religion  to  him,  the 
task  grows  large  and  difficult.     I  can't  see  how  to  go  about  it. 

If  I  talk  one  way,  he  may  think  me  a  prig  or  a  hypo- 
crite; if  I  try  another  way,  he  may  be  excused  for  counting 
me  a  liar. 

I  simply  can't  assume  any  superiority  over  him.  Nor 
can  I  tell  him  that  suddenly  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to 
be  tremendously  interested  in  his  soul  for  just  one  week, 
after  which  all  will  be  as  it  was. 

I  do  n't  know  how  to  explain  conversion  to  him,  or  to 
guarantee  just  what  will  happen  if  he  decides  to  put  his 
life  into  the  control  of  my  Master.  His  make-up  is  so 
different  from  mine  that,  honestly,  I  do  n't  know  in  the 
least  what  will  happen. 

Perhaps  the  simplest  way  will  be  the  best  way.  And 
the  simplest  way,  it  seems  to  me,  is  to  talk  to  him  about 
the  Lord  Jesus — not  about  myself — to  ask  him  that  he  will 
face  fairly  the  questions  that  must  rise  in  his  mind  when  he 
thinks  of  Christ  and  His  claims,  and  to  tell  him  that  I  'm 
not  a  very  good  sample  of  what  a  Christian  should  be,  but 
that  to  see  him  stand  up  for  my  Lord  would  be  the  biggest 
joy  of  my  life,  as  it  surely  would  be  of  his  own. 

That  way  I  shan't  need  to  argue,  and  there  will  be  little 
to  explain — explanations  are  not  much  use  at  such  a  time — 
but  just  ask  him  to  think  honestly  about  what  Jesus  Christ 
would  like  to  do  for  him  and  with  him. 

I  have  heard  that  such  a  method  worked  with  Philip 
and  Nathanael;  it  worked  when  the  Samaritan  woman  used 
only  a  little  bit  of  it;  it  worked  with  Cornelius  and— 
skipping  all  the  centuries  between — it  worked  with  Henry 

154 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

While  Warren  and  with  William  Fraser  McDowell;  it 
worked  with  F.  M.  Sayford,  and  C.  K.  Ober,  and  John  H. 
Mott.     It  surely  works  ! 

Maybe,  that  way,  I  could  win  my  chum  ! 

The  Book  and  Its  Study. 

The  Christian  has  a  Book  in  which,  together  with  many 
valuable  but  less  important  things,  he  may  find  all  he  needs 
concerning  the  great  work  he  requires  in  order  to  accept, 
to  understand,  and  to  tell  to  others  the  whole  work  of  God 
in  redeeming  man  from  destruction.  It  gives  the  history 
of  redemption,  the  practical  teaching  of  redemption,  and 
the  laws  of  life  which  govern  those  who  accept  redemption. 

Now,  if  redemption  from  sin  is  a  great  thing,  the  Bible 
must  be  a  Book  of  great  practical  importance.  If  our  re- 
lation toward  God  and  toward  righteousness  is  the  supreme 
concern  of  life,  the  Bible  becomes  a  Book  we  dare  not 
neglect.  We  can  not  treat  it  like  other  books.  There  is 
no  urgent  need  that  we  should  read  Shakespeare,  and  no 
moral  compulsion  drives  us  to  the  pages  of  Emerson  or 
Carlyle.  But  we  are  not  dealing  with  life,  our  own  life, 
for  this  day,  but  for  all  the  days  and  the  ages.  If  the 
Bible  is  a  closed  Book  to  us,  God's  plan  for  us  is  unknown, 
and  our  duty  to  Him  is  undiscovered.     So  must  we  perish ! 

How  shall  we  study  the  Bible?  What  are  the  best 
methods?  What  are  the  most  reliable  helps?  These  ques- 
tions are  asked  on  every  hand.  Their  right  answering  is 
of  great  moment.  Some  things  may  be  said  that  will  clear 
the  way  for  each  to  find  his  own  answer. 

First,  then,  there  are  ways  not  to  study  the  Bible.  It 
is  not  a  text-book  on  any  one  of  the  circle  of  the  sciences. 
It  is  not  a  description  of  the  bit  of  country  bordering  on 
the  Mediterranean  between  Asia  Minor  and  Egypt.  It  is 
not  merely  a  collection  of  Hebrew  literature.  If  it  is 
studied  for  these  things,  the  student  will  add  to  his  store 
of  knowledge,  but  he  will  miss  completely  the  character 
and  aim  of  the  Bible. 

"The  Bible  is  one  Book,  with  one  Author,  one  theme, 
one  purpose,  and  one  central  and  commanding  figure."  Its 
Author  is  God;  its  theme,  redemption;  its  purpose,  to  make 

155 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

redemption  known  to  all  men;  its  great  central  figure,  Jesus 
Christ  the  Redeemer,  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God.  Study 
it  in  the  light  of  these  facts,  and  it  will  become  a  living 
Book,  for  the  Spirit  of  God  lives  in  the  Bible. 

There  are  three  great  subjects  the  Christian  needs  to 
study:  First,  the  historic  facts  of  redemption.  What  was 
the  course  of  God's  plan  to  save  mankind  from  sin  and 
death?  Such  study  brings  before  the  student  the  whole 
Book,  for  every  part  of  it  is  involved  in  the  answer  to  that 
question.  Second,  the  practical  meaning  of  the  teachings 
contained  in  God's  plan.  What  ought  a  Christian  to  be? 
This  subject  also  covers  a  wide  territory  of  study.  It  re- 
quires the  Old  Testament  as  well  as  the  New.  It  takes 
the  whole  Bible  to  make  a  whole  Christian.  Third,  the 
ruling  principles  of  Christian  conduct.  What  ought  a 
Christian  to  do?  And  here  you  have  the  whole  range  of 
Christian  activity  and  life.  It  includes  every  form  of 
evangelization,  citizenship,  and  philanthropy;  every  prin- 
ciple of  business  and  social  life.  Missions,  reforms,  politics, 
worship,  are  all  here. 

Is  not  all  this  sufficient?  Have  we  not  abundant  and 
weighty  reason  for  the  reverent  and  constant  study  of  the 
Book?  Then,  let  it  have  its  rightful  place  in  our  lives, 
that  we  may  keep  the  commandments,  be  doers  of  the 
Word,  and  cleanse  our  way  by  taking  heed  to  it  according 
to  the  law  of  God. 

Bible  Study  Suggestions. 

Compare  Scripture  with  Scripture. 

Glean  from  the  marginal  readings. 

Remember  that  the  Bible  is  a  very  old  Book. 

Interpret  the  Bible  upon  principles  of  common  sense. 

Be  willing  to  let  the  Bible  mean  what  it  wants  to  mean. 

Keep  in  mind  the  purpose  of  the  particular  Book  you 
are  reading. 

Cultivate  spiritual  sympathy  with  the  Bible,  for  it  is  a 
spiritual  Book. 

Give  the  golden  moments  of  the  early  morning  to  the 
study  of  the  Book 

156 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

Give  careful  attention  to  the  connection  of  the  passage 
you  are  reading. 

In  reading  Moses,  Elijah,  David,  any  Bible  character, 
"put  yourself  in  his  place." 

He  who  reads  the  Bible,  studies  it,  loves  it,  and  obeys 
it,  will  share  its  immortality. 

The  Bible  in  the  heart  is  a  protection  against  evil,  a 
restrainer  of  sin,  and  a  source  of  spiritual  energv. 

The  people  who  can  quote  Scripture  accurately  are 
not  numerous.  Is  it  carelessness,  or  ignorance,  or  lack  of 
capacity  ? 

The  life  that  is  too  busy  to  afford  time  for  Bible  read- 
ing and  study,  is  planning  for  an  abundance  of  leisure 
when  it  will  be  too  late. 

Remember  that  every  part  of  the  Bible  has  historical 
connection  with  some  period  of  ancient  civilization,  and 
read  it  with  a  full  recognition  of  that  fact. 

One  book  of  the  Bible  thoroughly  studied  is  worth  a 
dozen  books  superficially  read;  and  each  book  studied  will 
whet  the  desire  for  and  strengthen  the  habit  of  studying 
the  other  books  with  similar  care. 

Who  should  read  the  Word?  The  young,  to  know  how 
to  live;  the  old,  to  know  how  to  die;  the  ignorant,  for 
wisdom;  the  learned,  for  humility;  the  rich,  for  warning; 
the  poor,  for  enrichment.  It  is  the  book  for  all  sorts  and 
conditions  of  men. 

Do  n't  forget  that  the  Bible  is  a  text-book  of  service 
as  well  as  a  guide  to  salvation. 

Some  Epworthians  would  still  be  looking  for  the  Book 
of  Hezekiah  if  they  had  n't  been  in  a  League  Bible-study 
class. 

There  's  nothing  new  about  Bible  study  as  a  form  of 
League  work.  But  your  Chapter  may  find  something  new 
in  the  Bible  if  you  study  it. 

The  Bible  is  not  tested  in  the  scholar's  study,  but  in 
the  world,  where  men  are  fighting  for  their  lives.  There 
is  not  a  question  of  two  Isaiahs,  but  of  one  sufficient  Christ. 

There  is  plenty  of  prohibition  in  the  Bible,  so  that  no 
Christian  can  object  to  a  "Thou  shalt  not."     Nevertheless, 

157 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  two  commandments  of  the  New  Testament,  on  which 
hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets,  are  both  "Thou  shalts." 

Beware  of  a  Bible  class  that  studies  about  the  Bible,  but 
does  not  study  it. 

The  Bible  is  the  source  of  all  true  politics,  and  of  all 
worthy  social  reform. 

Every  Bible  student  should  study  in  such  a  way  as  to 
prepare  him  to  teach  others  when  opportunity  offers. 

Do  not  study  the  Bible  with  a  microscope.  It  is  meant 
for  every-day  eyesight. 

Come  to  the  Bible,  not  because  you  must,  but  because 
you  desire  to  come. 

Do  not  be  satisfied  with  such  a  fragmentary  and  foggy 
knowledge  of  the  Bible  as  would  make  you  ashamed  if  it 
were  one  of  your  high  school  text-books. 

If  you  would  solve  your  doubts,  study  your  Bible. 

The  more  you  know  the  Bible  the  more  you  know  your- 
self, and  the  more  you  know  God.  For  it  is  a  Book  which 
not  only  reveals  God  to  man,  but  man  to  himself. 

Bible  Study  in  the  League. 

The  Epworth  League  movement  is  so  distinctly  a  spir- 
itual movement  that  its  interest  in  an  intelligent  apprecia- 
tion of  the  Holy  Scriptures  may  be  taken  for  granted. 
The  experience  of  every  Christian  worker  has  demonstrated 
that  among  the  young  people  in  all  parts  of  the  Church 
there  is  a  continual  need  of  a  systematic,  definite,  and  con- 
nected scheme  of  Bible  study.  Our  young  people  need 
to  secure  a  comprehensive  grasp  of  Bible  truth.  They 
need  to  study  the  Book,  not  for  its  literary  value,  but  as 
their  Book  of  religion.  They  must  be  in  a  real  sense  spe- 
cialists as  to  this  one  Book.  That  this  condition  has  not 
yet  been  attained  is  apparent  to  every  one  who  has  studied 
the  situation  with  any  thoughtfulness.  In  fact,  the  Bible, 
even  as  history,  literature,  and  sociological  material,  is  to 
many  an  unopened   Book. 

But  there  are  distinct  indications  that  a  change  is 
already  in  progress.  Bible  study  is  more  largely  in  the 
thought  and  enterprise  of  authors  and  publishers  than  it 
has  ever  been.     There  is  a  decline  in  the  popularity  of 

158 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

controversies  about  the  Bible.  The  establishment  of  train- 
ing schools  whose  great  text-book  is  the  Bible  is  another 
sign  of  the  awakening  interest  in  Bible  study. 

The  Epworth  League  has  committed  itself  to  a  great 
and  comprehensive  plan  of  Bible  work. 

Every  year  there  is  set  apart  a  Sunday  for  the  special 
consideration  of  League  studies.  To  the  Chapter  which 
decides   on   Bible   study,   this   is   Bible   Study    Rally   Day. 

The  Central  Office  affords  a  large  amount  of  genuine 
help  in  the  League's  work  of  Bible  study.  It  supervises 
the  work  of  each  study  class,  and  furnishes  to  the  leaders, 
without  charge,  special  assistance  and  printed  helps  for 
the  teaching  of  the  lessons. 

Organizing  a  Bible  Study  Class. 

The  class  may  begin  work  at  any  time  in  the  year,  but 
in  those  courses  which  require  twenty-five  weeks  for  their 
completion,  organization  should,  if  possible,  take  place  so 
that  work  may  be  begun  early  in  October.  The  observance 
of  Bible  Study  Rally  Day  will  have  great  influence  for 
good  in  this  work  of  organization.  The  whole  subject  of 
Bible  study  may  be  presented  at  the  Rally  Day  meeting. 

Secure  some  one  who  is  entirely  competent  to  make  a 
stirring  inspirational  address  on  the  possibility,  value,  and 
importance  of  Bible  stud}7.  It  should  be  definite,  direct,  and 
devout.  It  should  be  the  speech  of  a  Bible  student,  seeking 
to  win  others  to  that  study.  Then,  let  the  First  Vice- 
President  follow  with  a  clear  statement  of  the  course  which 
has  been  chosen,  describing  simply  and  clearly  the  text- 
book and  the  plan  of  study.  It  will  be  a  help  if  copies 
of  the  text-book  are  at  hand   for  examination. 

An  enrollment  of  Bible  students  should  be  secured  at 
this  meeting,  while  the  interest  is  fresh  and  strong.  Each 
person  who  enrolls  will  be  expected  to  do  four  tilings : 
First,  to  attend  the  classes  regularly;  second,  to  secure  a 
copy  of  the  text-book;  third,  to  prepare  each  lesson;  fourth, 
to  do  as  much  of  the  special  work  assigned  as  possible. 

The  work  of  enrollment  should  not  end  with  this  first 
meeting.  A  personal  canvass  of  the  entire  membership 
should  be  made,  so  that  every  one  may  have  an  opportunity 

159 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  joining  the  class.  No  one  need  be  ignored  or  excluded. 
It  may  be  necessary  in  the  beginning  of  Bible  study  work 
to  do  considerable  urging,  but  for  the  sake  of  the  individual 
and  of  the  Church  no  effort  should  be  spared  to  enroll  in 
the  class  or  classes  as  many  of  the  Chapter  members  as 
possible. 

If,  however,  only  a  few  are  willing  to  enroll,  do  not  be 
discouraged.  A  class  of  two  can  do  successful  work.  Better 
have  fewer  members  who  are  in  earnest  than  a  large  enroll- 
ment of  those  whose  interest  dies  with  the  second  meeting. 
A  properly  organized  class  will  grow,  both  in  interest  and 
in  numbers.  If  fifteen  or  more  desire  to  take  up  the  work, 
organize  two  classes.  Ten  members  are  usually  enough  for 
one  class.  Other  things  being  equal,  the  smaller  the  class, 
the  better  the  work.  There  is  not  so  much  personal  study 
done  in  a  large  class. 

THE    LEADER. 

The  leader  of  the  Bible  study  class  should  be  selected 
with  great  care.  Whenever  possible,  choose  laymen  for 
leaders.  The  pastor  has  enough  on  his  hands  already ; 
apart  from  that,  lay  leadership  is  valuable  for  many 
reasons.  The  leader  need  not  be  a  proficient  Bible  student, 
if  he  is  one  who  believes  in  the  value  of  the  study  and 
is  willing  to  give  much  time  to  his  work.  These  two  qualifi- 
cations are  absolutely  necessary.  The  helps  provided  by 
the  Central  Office  are  sufficiently  full  and  definite,  so  that 
any  one  who  has  the  slightest  capacity  for  leadership,  and 
is  filled  with  the  purpose  to  work,  may  make  a  real  success 
of  the  class.     The  leader  makes  the  class. 

THE    MEETINGS    OF    THE    CLASS. 

Meetings  for  study  should  by  all  means  be  held  once  a 
week  during  the  life  of  the  course.  The  time  of  meeting 
will  be  arranged  to  suit  the  majority  of  the  members.  It 
is  better  to  appoint  a  week-night  meeting,  if  possible.  Do 
not  let  the  Bible  study  class  conflict  with  the  Sunday  school 
or  with  any  other  of  the  regular  activities  of  the  Church. 
It  certainly  should  not  meet  at  the  Sunday  school  hour. 
The  best  place  for  the  class  meeting  is  the  League  room 

100 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

of  the  church,  if  there  is  such  a  room.  If  there  are  good 
reasons  for  meeting  away  from  the  church,  the  size  of  the 
class  will  not  be  so  great  as  to  interfere  with  the  use  of 
private  houses.  The  home  of  a  class  member  is  always 
preferable. 

MAINTAINING   THE    INTEREST. 

Let  the  class  secure  all  the  helps  it  can  afford.  The 
best  work  requires  the  best  of  reference  works.  Main- 
leaders  find  it  a  decided  advantage  to  have  a  reference 
library  at  the  disposal  of  the  entire  class.  The  leader 
should  note  the  catalogue  of  the  Central  Office,  which  con- 
tains a  list  of  the  best  reference  books  at  the  lowest  pos- 
sible prices. 

These  books  can  be  secured  in  various  ways.  A  few 
individuals  will  purchase  books  for  themselves;  a  class 
subscription  might  be  taken;  an  appropriation  from  the 
Ep worth  League  treasury  might  be  made  and  the  books 
then  become  a  part  of  the  Chapter  library.  In  some 
Chapters  the  money  has  been  secured  by  holding  a  "Library 
Entertainment." 

Popularize  the  work  by  giving  items  to  the  local  papers 
concerning  the  most  important  and  successful  feature  of 
your  class  work. 

Magnify  private  daily  devotional  Bible  study.  The 
more  study  of  the  Word  for  personal  spiritual  growth,  the 
more  certain  the  success  of  the  class. 

Bible  Study  and  the  Morning  Watch. 

These,  being  two,  are  one.  That  is  to  say,  whoso  will 
become  a  Comrade  of  the  Morning  Watch  must  become 
a  student  of  the  Bible.  On  the  other  hand,  a  Bible  student, 
seeking  a  stated  'time  for  study,  will  be  led  in  most  in- 
stances to  select  the  Morning  Watch  hour. 

The  arrangement  of  the  daily  work  in  some  of  the 
Epworth  League  text-books  lends  itself  beautifully  to  the 
combination  of  Morning  Watch  and  Bible  study.  Every 
Comrade  should  seek  membership  in  a  study  class;  every 
Bible  student  join  the  Morning  Watch  enrollment.  Each 
purpose  will  strengthen  the  other. 
11  161 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  League  Meeting  on  Rally  Day. 

The  thing  to  be  aimed  at  in  this  meeting  is  a  Bible 
study  class.  If  all  the  talk  and  prayer  and  song  about 
the  Word  of  God  does  not  result  in  a  definite  movement  to 
study  that  Word,  the  meeting  will  not  be  a  success. 

If  the  meeting  is  rightly  managed  it  will  arouse  con- 
viction. Do  not  let  that  conviction  be  wasted.  Give  it  a 
chance  to  crystallize  into  definite  action.  Start  a  Bible 
study  class. 

Can  not  the  leader  provide  for  a  stirring  address  on 
the  importance  of  Bible  study  by  one  who  studies  the  Bible? 
Do  not  get  some  one  who  has  no  record  as  a  student,  unless 
he  is  willing  to  close  his  speech  with  a  confession  of  his 
neglect  and  a  resolve  to  be  the  first  member  of  the  study 
class. 

Sing  the  choice  songs  from  the  Hymnals  which  bear  on 
the  beauties  and  power  of  the  Scriptures. 

Arrange  for  the  testimony  of  half  a  dozen  people  who 
are  daily  reading  and  studying  the  Bible. 

Have  a  copy  or  two  of  the  Bible  study  text-books  on 
exhibition. 

Look  through  the  110th  Psalm  for  texts  bearing  on  the 
value  of  and  delight  in  the  Word  of  God.  Distribute  them 
for  comment  in  the  testimony  service. 

The  P'irst  Vice-President  should  be  given  at  least  ten 
minutes  at  the  close  that  he  may  announce  plans  for  the 
Bible  study  class  and  secure  the  enrollment  of  members. 
The  plans  should  be  as  definite  as  possible. 

Explain  the  courses.  Tell  about  the  scheme  for  daily 
study,  plans  for  the  harmony,  map  work,  independent  re- 
search, and  other  attractive  elements  in  the  course. 

Begin  the  Bible  study  class  enrollment  at  the  close  of 
the  meeting.  Do  n't  let  people  get  away  from  their  newly- 
aroused  convictions. 

Distribute  the  literature  of  the  Bible  study  courses. 


162 


MORNING  WATCH,  PERSONAL  EVANGELISM. 

Sample  Programs  for  Rally  Day. 
I. 

Song  and  prayer  service,  ten  minutes. 

The  leader  speaks:  "Why  should  I  read  and  heed  the 
Word?" 

Four  brief  addresses:  "Bible  study  for  my  own  good," 
"Bible  study  as  an  aid  to  personal  work  with  the  unsaved/' 
"Bible  study  as  related  to  the  work  of  missions,"  "The 
life  of  Christ  the  central  point  in  Bible  study." 

The  Bible  on  Bible  study :     Selected  references. 

Personal  testimonies:  "How  I  use  my  Bible,"  "How 
the  Bible  'finds'  me,"  "Bible  study  and  the  Morning 
Watch,"  "The  things  that  hinder." 

Enrollment  of  the  Bible  study  class. 

II. 

Song  and  prayer  service. 

The  leader  speaks:  "Bible  study  as  an  element  in  the 
Christian's  self-respect." 

Brief  addresses:  "The  direct  value  of  Bible  study," 
"The  indirect  gains  of  it,"  "Bible  study  for  fellow-workers," 
"Where  to  begin." 

Personal  testimonies:  "The  Morning  Watch  as  a  help 
to  Bible  study,"  "What  Bible  study  has  meant  to  me,"  "The 
revelations  that  have  rewarded  my  study." 

Address :  "Let  us  begin  a  Bible  study  class  in  this 
Chapter  this   year." 

Enrollment  of  members  and  organization  of  the  class. 

III. 

Song  service. 

Brief  prayers  of  thanksgiving  for  the  Word,  and  of 
petition  for  help  to  use  it  more  faithfully. 

Scripture  lessons:     Psa.  119:73-80;  Phil.  2:14-16. 

The  leader  speaks:     "Why  read  the  Word?" 

A  member  speaks:  "The  spiritual  value  of  God's 
Word." 

Another  member  speaks:  "The  demand  of  God's  Word 
on  your  life." 

163 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Some  members  testify:     "How  I  read  my  Bible." 
Other  members  testify:     "What  my  Bible  means  to  me." 
Still  others  testify:     "Things  that  hinder  me  in  my  use 

of  the  Bible." 

The  leader  speaks  again.     He  recommends  the  Morning 

Watch  and  the  Bible  study  plans  of  the  Epworth  League. 
The  meeting  closes  with  the  League  benediction,  or  the 

repeating  in  concert  of  Psa.    119:18,   "Open   Thou   mine 

eyes,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  Thy  law." 


164 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

The  Department  of  World  Evangelism  represents  the  con- 
viction which  has  been  growing  for  years  that  the  Epworth 
League  should  be  definitely  committed  to  a  world-wide  out- 
look and  a  world-wide  purpose  in  its  work  of  training  the 
young  people  of  Methodism  for  their  places  of  leadership 
in  the  Methodist  Church  that  is  to  be. 

The  Department  of  World  Evangelism  is  intended  to 
educate  the  members  of  the  Epworth  League  in  all  the 
methods  and  movements  of  an  organized  effort  at  evan- 
gelization which  touches  every  land, — our  own  first,  in 
order  that  from  our  own  the  power  and  blessing  that  we 
have  received  may  flow  to  all  the  rest.  This  involves  a 
study  of  the  various  benevolences  of  the  Church,  and  a 
study  of  the  work  and  worth  of  Christian  missions. 

Then  the  department  aims  to  convince  all  of  their  re- 
lation to  the  work  of  world  evangelism.  This  involves  the 
teaching  of  the  truths  of  Christian  stewardship  and  the 
insistent  claim  of  all  who  have  need,  in  whatever  part  of 
the  world  they  may  be  found,  upon  all  those  who,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  have  those  things  which  may  supply  the  need. 

Having  educated  and  convinced,  the  final  great  work 
of  the  department  is  to  inspire  all  our  members  with  r 
steady,  unswerving,  undiscourageable  zeal  for  the  work  of 
world  evangelism.  The  prayer  cycles  and  missionary  lit- 
erature are  all  bent  to  this  end,  that  every  Epworthian 
may  be  an  eager,  earnest,  intelligent  advocate  of  the  work 
of  bringing  the  knowledge  of  Christ  to  all  the  world  in 
this  generation. 

The  committee  assigned  for  this  department  should 
number  not  less  than  three,  and  may  be  as  large  as  can 
be  secured.  Its  members  ought  to  be  believers  in  the  idea 
underlying  the  department,  or  at  least  thev  should  be  open- 

165 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

minded  with  regard  to  it,  and  willing  to  receive  all  possible 
light. 

The  committee  should  be  divided  so  as  to  provide  for 
sub-committees  to  take  charge  of  the  various  activities  of 
the  department.  There  should  be,  for  example,  a  sub- 
committee to  supervise  each  of  the  following  forms  of 
activities :  the  periodical  missionary  meeting,  the  special 
devotional  topics  on  Christian  philanthropies,  the  mission 
study  class,  the  missionary  library,  the  distribution  of  mis- 
sionary literature,  the  study  of  other  benevolences,  the 
advocacy  and  systematic  study  of  Christian  stewardship. 
There  is  sufficient  work  here  indicated  to  give  each  member 
of  the  committee  a  distinct  and  worthy  task.  There  need 
be  no  drones  in  this  section  of  the  Epworth  hive. 

The  Department  of  World  Evangelism  will  make  spe- 
cial effort  to  magnify  and  emphasize  the  monthly  devotional 
meetings  given  to  missions  and  other  great  benevolent  and 
philanthropic  work.  The  study  classes  will  require  its  con- 
stant thought  and  care.  It  may  make  large  use  of  a  grow- 
ing and  valuable  literature  in  every  variety  of  Christian 
service.  It  should  stimulate  an  intelligent  study  of  the 
benevolences. 

It  is  specially  charged  with  the  spreading  of  the  Chris- 
tian stewardship  idea.  It  may  plan  and  conduct  missionary 
socials,  which  should  be  something  more  than  missionary  in 
name.  It  can  help  in  the  Sunday  school  monthly  missionary 
meeting.  It  ought  to  introduce  and  popularize  a  definite 
cycle  of  prayer.  It  may  make  a  collection  of  maps,  charts, 
and  other  missionary  material,  which  will  be  found  exceed- 
ingly useful  for  display  at  special  meetings. 

The  Timeliness  of  Mission  Study. 

The  Epworth  League  is  now  a  great  school  for  instruc- 
tion in  missions.  It  is  becoming,  and  will  become  increas- 
ingly, a  field  from  which  missionary  recruits  may  be  secured. 

The  most  important  duty  of  the  Department  of  World 
Evangelism  is  to  see  that  the  work  of  missionary  teaching 
is  begun  and  sustained,  no  matter  what  else  in  the  depart- 
ment may  be  allowed  to  languish.  The  reasons  for  mission 
study   are   simple   and   yet   convincing. 

106 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

Missions  are  a  necessary  part  of  full  Christian  living. 
There  can  be  no  permanent  or  productive  missionary  senti- 
ment without  intelligent  ideas  on  missionary  subjects. 
Foreign  missions,  with  their  vast  and  increasing  demands 
for  support,  can  not  be  kept  going  by  semi-occasional 
rhetoric  and  emotion.  Without  the  missionary  idea  of 
Christianity  a  healthy  faith  is  impossible.  Missionary  in- 
terest is  a  real  and  large  enrichment  of  the  Christian  life. 
We  are  debtors  to  the  missionary  idea  for  much  of  our 
opportunity  of  service.  Missions  furnish  the  missing  link 
in  the  chain  of  Christian  work.  Nothing  but  a  knowledge 
of  the  need  of  the  world  can  furnish  sufficient  incentive  to 
the  fullest  dedication  of  one's  powers  to  the  work  of  saving 
the  world. 

There  is  a  great  and  adequate  literature  of  missions. 
There  are  men  and  women  who  have  first-hand  knowledge, 
both  of  the  mission  fields  and  of  the  resources  of  the  Church. 
Their  knowledge  is  now  within  reach. 

We  have  a  newly  increased  interest  in  the  subject  of 
missions.  It  has  come  to  the  point  of  strategic  importance 
in  the  forward  movement  of  Christendom.  It  has  political 
and  social  and  commercial  bearing  on  the  life  of  our  own 
land.  There  is  no  part  of  the  work  of  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  more  worthy  of  study  than  the  missionary  enterprise. 

Why  Study  Missions. 

Because  the  missionary  enterprise  is  the  chief  business 
of  the  Church.  It  is  not  merely  incidental.  It  is  not  simply 
an  outlet  for  the  Church's  surplus  energy  and  cash.  It  is 
not  a  hobby,  to  be  ridden  by  impracticable  enthusiasts,  it 
is  the  Church's  business.  For  this  the  Church  exists;  to 
make  missionaries,  to  send  them,  to  support  them,  to  re- 
inforce them.  If  the  assertion  of  this  paragraph  is  doubted, 
test  it  by  asking  and  answering  this  question,  "If  the 
missionary  enterprise  is  not  the  Church's  chief  business, 
what  is?" 

Because  knowledge  of  the  missionary  enterprise  alone 
makes  possible  its  proper  support.  It  is  not  now  properly 
supported.  The  Church  is  paying  dollars  for  its  pleasures. 
and  dimes  for  its  business.     A  Church  which  spends  $10,000 

167 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

a  year  on  all  its  activities  thinks  it  does  well  if  it  spends 
•f  1,000  of  the  total  on  gospel-extension  work.  And  yet 
gospel  extension  is  the  Church's  business.  Spasmodic 
spurts  in  giving  may  occur  under  the  stimulus  of  over- 
wrought appeals  and  unfounded  prophecies  of  tremendous 
movements  soon  to  begin.  But  such  stimulus  is  soon  ex- 
hausted, and  things  are  worse  than  before.  If  we  knew 
enough  of  the  real  situation  to  give  intelligently,  we  should 
give  more,  and  not  grow  weary  of  the  giving. 

Because  without  mission  study  we  can  not  understand 
the  missionary  problem.  It  is  the  Church's  greatest  prob- 
lem, because  it  is  both  the  most  important  and  the  most 
difficult  of  all  her  tasks.  The  "open  door"  is  really  open, 
but  it  opens  on  opportunity  and  toil,  not  on  a  ready-made 
harvest.  Missionary  work  is  necessarily  slow,  even  under 
the  best  conditions.  Hereditary  instincts  and  ancient  civili- 
zations are  not  transformed  in  a  day.  There  are  instances 
in  every  mission  field  of  faithful  work  for  years  without 
a  single  convert  to  show  for  it.  The  Christian  at  home  is 
not  likely  to  be  patient,  unless  he  understands  how  great  a 
task  his  brethren  in  mission  fields  have   set  before  them. 

Because  without  mission  study  it  is  not  easy  to  believe 
in  missions  at  all.  "Let  every  people  have  its  own  religion. 
It  may  not  suit  us,  but  it  suits  them.  Why  disturb  them?" 
That  is  the  argument  of  the  uninformed  and  the  unchristian. 
The  national  or  racial  religions  have  failed.  Their  excel- 
lencies have  been  corrupted,  and  some  of  them  have  their 
very  origin  in  vileness.  But  much  of  heathenism  is  fair  on 
the  surface.  At  a  distance  it  seems  all  that  is  beautiful  and 
good.  It  must  be  studied  as  it  is,  and  not  as  it  seems,  if 
missionary  work  is  to  be  sustained.  For  only  such  study 
will  reveal  the  need  of  Christ,  which  is  the  greatest  need 
of  every  land  of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death. 

Because  the  missionary  enterprise  of  to-morrow  will 
fail  without  missionary  intelligence.  If  the  problem  is  great 
to-day,  it  is  going  to  be  vastly  greater  to-morrow.  Every 
new  advance  is  a  new  problem,  a  new  demand  on  the  home 
Church,  a  new  challenge  to  Christian  faith  and  courage. 
The  widening  borders  can  not  be  manned  with  the  resources 
at  present  available.     There  must  be  a  new  measure  of 

1(38 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

advance  in  the  provision  of  missionaries  and  money.  The 
rate  of  increase  is  itself  increasing.  What  the  Church  has 
done  thus  far  is  small  compared  to  what  she  must  do  if 
her  very  victories  are  not  to  be  the  occasion  of  her  failure. 
But  how  can  these  things  be  believed  while  Christians  are 
unintelligent  on  the  subject  of  mission  work? 

Because  the  advance  of  to-morrow,  at  home  or  abroad, 
depends  upon  to-day's  young  people.  The  number  of  over- 
worked and  wearied  veterans  in  the  field  is  greater  than 
we  imagine.  Every  mission  field  needs  new  blood,  needs 
fresh,  vigorous,  strong  young  workers.  They  must  come 
from  the  young  people's  societies,  from  the  colleges  and 
high  schools  of  to-day.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is  a  gen- 
eration of  givers  to  missions  which  has  about  given  all  it 
can.  Its  earning  capacity  is  smaller  than  it  used  to  be. 
The  young  people  who  are  coming  to  self-support,  to  the 
places  of  profitable  work,  must  replenish  the  treasury. 
And,  because  of  the  enlarging  field,  they  must  have  a  new 
standard  of  giving.  But  all  this  will  be  realized  only 
through  a  real  understanding  of  the  whole  subject.  All 
that  means  mission  study. 

The  League  a  Producer  of  Missionaries. 

A  young  woman  reader  of  The  Epworth  Herald,  on  her 
way  to  the  mission  field,  wrote  from  the  steamer  to  the 
editor  and  told  how  her  going  has  grown  out  of  her  work 
in   the   Epworth   League. 

It  is  a  familiar  story.  Of  course,  almost  every  new 
missionary  is  an  Epworthian,  for  few  young  Methodists 
with  the  missionary  spirit  escape  service  and  training  in 
the  League.  But,  more  than  that,  the  direct  impulse  that 
carries  these  young  people  across  the  line  of  decision  into 
missionary  service  comes,  with  cheerful  frequency,  from  the 
Epworth   League   and   its   work. 

The  Epworth  League  is  a  missionary  organization.  It 
is  committed  to  the  missionary  interpretation  of  Christian 
experience.  It  produces  missionaries.  If  it  did  n't,  it 
would  need  either  a  funeral  or  a  revival.  Just  now,  with 
the  funeral  indefinitely  postponed,  it  could  well  afford  to 
have  a  revival  of  missionary  dedication. 

169 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

As  of  old;  the  harvest  is  plenteous  and  the  laborers 
are  few.  No  Epworthian  can  ignore  the  obligation  which 
that  fact  puts  on  him,  to  consider  what  he  shall  do  witli 
his  life. 

The  Advantages  of  the  Study  Class. 

No  one  can  study  such  a  subject  as  well  by  himself 
as  in  a  class.  The  class  gives  touch  of  mind  with  mind. 
It  furnishes  new  points  of  view.  It  makes  each  member  a 
helper  of  the  others. 

Experts  in  research  work  can  do  their  best  work  alone, 
but  a  mission  study  class  is  not  for  experts. 

Mass-meetings  are  not  the  solution  of  the  mission  study 
problem.  They  have  very  great  excellencies,  but,  unless 
balanced  bv  intelligent  study,  they  give  distorted  and  frag- 
mentary views  of  missionary  work. 

A  missionary  reading  circle  may  be  interesting,  but  it 
does  not  set  its  members  at  work.     It  is  "too  optional." 

The  study  class  is  responsible  for  the  large  gain  in  mis- 
sion study  which  has  been  secured  in  the  past  few  years. 
It  furnishes  orderly  and  systematic  plans,  taking  up  defi- 
nite subjects,  on  which  the  members  can  make  personal 
preparation. 

The  study  class  stimulates  a  taste  for  a  higher  grade 
of  missionary  reading.  The  missionary  libraries,  which 
have  had  so  phenomenal  a  sale,  have  been  purchased  and 
read  by  Chapters  which  have  had  mission  study  classes. 
These  books,  in  many  cases,  have  been  the  foundation  of 
extensive  collections  of  missionary  literature. 

Mission  Study  Rally  Day. 

Twice  a  year  a  Sunday  is  designated  as  study  class 
Rally  Day.  If  the  Chapter  purposes  to  begin  Bible  study 
or  social  service,  the  topic  is,  of  course,  appropriate  to  that 
intention.  But  if  missions  is  the  subject  chosen  for  study, 
the  devotional  meeting  topic  is  a  missionary  one,  and  the 
entire  conduct  of  the  meeting  should  be  in  charge  of  the 
Department  of  World  Evangelism. 

The  chief  purpose  of  the  day  is  twofold:  to  centralize 
thought  and  interest  on  the  general  theme,  and  to  make 

170 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

possible  the  organization  of  one  or  more  successful  study 
classes.  In  accomplishing  these  two  results,  the  material 
and  suggestions  of  this  section  should  be  freely  used. 

The  member  designated  to  conduct  the  work  of  mission 
study  should  have  mastered  the  selected  text-book  before 
Rally  Day,  at  least  sufficiently  to  be  able  to  give  an  intelli- 
gent and  interesting  outline  of  the  work  it  offers. 

It  is  a  fine  opportunity  for  the  presentation  of  facts. 
plans,  and  figures,  showing  what  can  be  done  in  missionary 
work  by  the  local  Chapter. 

Rally  Day  Suggestions. 

The  program  suggested  below  may  be  modified  to  suit 
special  plans,  but  it  should  have  substantially  the  same 
themes. 

Sing  missionary  hymns.  Do  n't  stop  with  "Greenland's 
icy  mountains."  Be  sure  to  sing  "The  Son  of  God  goes 
forth  to  war,"  and  "O  Zion,  haste." 

Insist  on  the  interest  to  be  found  in  mission  study. 
Prove  it  by  examples   from  personal  experience. 

Set  forth  in  some  graphic  way  "What  our  Church  is 
doing  to-day." 

Emphasize  the  fact  that  mission  study  is  a  tracing  of 
the  journeys  of  our  Lord  among  the  nations  as  truly  as  a 
study  of  the  Gospels  is  a  tracing  of  His  going  up  and  down 
the  Holy  Land. 

If  possible,  display  at  the  meeting  a  large  map  of  the 
field  for  the  year's  study.  The  best  is  a  home-made  map 
with  bold  outlines  and  but  little  lettering  or  other  detail. 

A  preliminary  canvass  should  be  made  before  the  meet- 
ing, so  that  several  members  may  be  ready  at  the  first  call 
of  the  leader  to  state.  "Why  I  am  willing  to  join  the  class." 

The  general  invitation  may  be  made  more  direct  if, 
during  the  meeting,  enrollment  cards  are  passed  around 
among  the  members. 

Do  not  be  satisfied  with  the  enrollment  at  this  meeting. 
Let  the  Second  Department  make  a  personal  canvass  for 
members  of  the  study  class. 

Begin  the  class  work  at  once.  If  only  six  or  eight  are 
171 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

enrolled,  never  mind.    That  is  enough  for  a  beginning.    The 
main  thing  is  to  begin. 

If  possible,  the  leader  of  the  class  should  be  selected 
beforehand.  Then,  while  interest  on  the  subject  is  still 
fresh,  the  class  organization  may  be  completed  at  the 
close  of  the  meeting,  and  the  time  and  place  of  the  first 
class  hour  fixed. 

Suggested  Programs. 

I. 

Selected  missionary  hymns. 

Scripture  lessons.  (Isa.  52:7-10;  Rom.  10:11-15.) 
Brief  comment  on  the  missionary  application  of  this  Scrip- 
ture by  the  reader. 

Prayers.  For  willingness  to  know  more  about  missions; 
that  God,  through  the  League  Chapters,  will  raise  up  an 
intelligent,  eager,  praying,  missionary  Church. 

Three-minute  talks  on  mission  study.  The  why  of  it, 
the  how  of  it,  the  when  of  it,  the  who  of  it,  and  the  what 
of  it. 

One-minute  testimonies  on  the  gains  of  mission  study, 
from  members  of  former  years'  classes,  or  others  who  know. 

Prayers.  For  the  carrying  of  the  gospel  to  every  part 
of  the  mission  field;  for  the  field  itself,  that  God  will  keep 
open  the  doors  of  opportunity  until  His  Church  shall  arouse 
and  enter  in ;  that  God  may  overrule  all  political  and  social 
changes  in  the  mission  field,  that  they  may  minister  to  the 
furtherance  of  the  gospel ;  for  all  who  are  now  at  work  in 
mission  lands. 

Invitation  to  join  the  study  class. 

Announcement  of  time  and  place  of  the  class. 

Benediction.  "And  He  shall  speak  peace  unto  the 
heathen;  and  His  dominion  shall  be  from  sea  even  to  sea, 
and  from  the  river  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth."  (Zech. 
9:  10.) 

II. 

Missionary  song  service. 

Scripture  lessons.    (Psa.   72:8-11;  Zech.   8:20-23.) 

A  prayer  service;  thanksgiving  for  the  missions  of  the 
past,  of  which  we  are  beneficiaries;  praver  for  willingness 

172 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

to  learn  of  the  missions  of  the  present;  intercession  for 
missions  and  missionaries ;  pledge  to  do  our  part  in  making 
the    Church    of   to-morrow    a    more    intelligent    missionary 

Church. 

"Reasons  for  missionary  interest/'  discussed  by  the 
leader  in  his  introductory  talk. 

The  argument  for  mission  study.  Two-minute  talks  by 
six  members  on  the  reasons  given  under  "Why  study  mis- 
sions?" 

"The  advantages  of  a  study  class,"  discussed  by  a  mem- 
ber of  last  year's  class,  or  by  the  organizer  of  the  class  to 
be  enrolled  at  this  meeting. 

"Why  I  am  willing  to  join  the  class."  One-minute 
reasons  "given  by  those  who  have  already  decided. 

A  general  invitation  to  enroll  in  the  class. 

The  Work  of  the  Mission  Study  Class. 

There  is  a  large  amount  of  literature  ready  to  hand  on 
the  mission  study  class  and  its  work.  Every  year  this  lit- 
erature grows  more  abundant,  and  no  mission  study  plans 
should  be  made  without  having  full  access  to  the  latest 
material. 

A  notice  that  you  purpose  to  organize  a  study  class  in 
vour  Chapter,  if  sent  to  the  Department  of  Missionary 
Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  will  bring  full 
information  and  most  helpful  suggestions.  And  all  that 
is  sent  will  have  direct  application  to  the  particular  field 
or  subject  which  is  the  current  theme  of  mission  study 
throughout  the  League. 

Other  Accessories. — The  annual  reports  of  the  Mission- 
ary Boards,  Home  and  Foreign,  contain  an  accurate  record 
of*  denominational  activity.  They  will  be  helpful  in  fur- 
nishing material  for  special  topics  and  discussions  on  cur- 
rent questions.     They  are  sent  free  upon  application. 

The  printed  reports  of  the  great  missionary  conven- 
tions will  usuallv  be  found  in  the  pastor's  library,  or  they 
may  be  obtained  of  the  Methodist  Book  Concern.  They 
contain  the  best  obtainable  series  of  addresses  on  our  Meth- 
odist missionary  activities  at  home  and  abroad. 

173 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPW0RTH1AN. 

The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  publishes  a  series  of 
booklets  designed  to  give  a  condensed  view  of  the  great 
mission  countries.  Booklets  on  practically  every  mission 
field  of  the  Methodist  Church  are  now  available. 

Special  leaflets  on  the  missions  in  the  various  fields  are 
published  by  the  Home  and  Foreign  Boards.  A  catalogue 
may  be  secured  from  the  Department  of  Missionary  Edu- 
cation, 150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 

The  more  prominent  papers  and  magazines  are  con- 
stantly printing  articles  relating  to  mission  fields  which 
are  of  great  value.  Where  public,  college,  or  private  li- 
braries are  accessible,  an  index  of  all  articles  relating  to 
the  country  being  studied  might  be  prepared  by  some 
member  of  the  class.  The  list  will  be  very  valuable  in  the 
assignment  of  topics. 

Libraries. — Special  reference  libraries,  prepared  for  use 
in  connection  with  the  several  text-books,  will  be  found 
exceedingly  helpful  in  mission  study  work.  They  are  es- 
sential to  a  class  that  expects  to  do  the  most  thorough  type 
of  work.  In  the  outline  helps  which  are  furnished  to  the 
leader,  suggested  topics  for  papers  will  be  found  together 
with  special  reference  to  these  libraries.  But  inability  to 
secure  the  reference  libraries  should  not  discourage  the 
organization  of  a  class.  Many  classes  have  done  excellent 
work  without  such  help. 

It  will  add  to  the  interest  if  the  members  will  make  a 
scrapbook  of  current  news  from  mission  fields,  reporting 
each  week  on  the  main  points.  The  Church  papers  are  full 
of  such  material,  and  helpful  articles  will  often  be  found 
in  the  secular  press. 

A  good  map  is  indispensable  for  even  a  brief  study  of 
any  country.  An  excellent  map  will  be  found  in  each  of 
the  text-books.  A  large  wall-map  of  most  countries  can 
often  be  obtained  from  a  local  book-store  or  borrowed  from 
the  public  schools. 

Outline  maps  of  China,  Japan  and  Korea,  India,  and 
Africa,  printed  on  paper,  have  been  prepared  for  the  use  of 
mission  study  classes.  These  outline  maps  may  be  obtained 
for  twenty  cents  each. 

174 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

A  missionary  map  of  the  world  will  also  be  very  help- 
ful. Such  a  map  is  available ;  price,  $3.50.  In  size  it  is 
6x12  feet.  The  map  is  printed  on  good  muslin,  and  is 
in  seven  colors,  showing  the  prevailing  religions  of  the 
world. 

It  will  be  very  effective  to  have  made  in  motto  form 
some  of  the  striking  words  of  missionaries  and  missionary 
workers,  and  to  place  them  on  the  wall  of  the  study  class 
room.  A  set  of  attractive  mottoes  is  listed  in  the  Literature 
Catalogue  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

The  stereopticon  and  the  stereoscope  offer  an  oppor- 
tunity of  genuine  enjoyment  and  real  profit  in  the  experi- 
ence of  seeing  the  mission  lands  while  seated  in  the  class 
or  lecture  room.  For  a  profitable  social  entertainment  the 
stereoscope  can  hardly  be  excelled,  while  the  stereopticon 
will  be  found  of  great  value  in  public  meetings. 

Correspondence. — Unless  otherwise  specified,  all  corre- 
spondence concerning  matters  relating  to  the  Second  De- 
partment should  be  addressed  to  the  Department  of  Mis- 
sionary Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

The  Missionary  Devotional  Meeting. 

The  frequent  missionary  meeting  at  the  time  of  the 
regular  devotional  service  calls  for  unusually  careful  prepa- 
ration. If  definite  planning  is  neglected  the  meeting  will 
be  dull,  dry,  and  dead.  In  the  missionary  meeting,  volun- 
tary and  extemporary  participation  will  be  more  difficult 
to  secure  than  in  any  other  meeting,  hence  all  those  who 
can  be  enlisted  should  be  instructed  beforehand  in  the  parts 
they  are  to  take.  Begin  the  preparation  two,  three,  or  four 
weeks  ahead.  For  the  most  part,  insist  that  the  members 
of  the  Chapter  shall  provide  the  program.  Do  not  depend 
too  much  upon  outsiders.  Put  the  responsibility  where  it 
belongs — upon  the  home  Chapter  and  its  members. 

Whenever  a  missionary  devotional  meeting  is  scheduled 
on  the  topic  cards,  the  leader  should  at  once  send  to  the 
Department  of  Missionary  Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue, 
New  York,  for  the  special  helps  provided  by  that  depart- 
ment. 

The  department  also  furnishes  each  year  a  special  pro- 
175 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

gram  related  to  the  mission  study  theme  of  the  year. 
This  program  is  particularly  effective  when  presented  by 
the  memhers  of  the  mission  study  class,  although  it  may 
be  given  successfully  by  any  group  of  Epworthians. 

The  music  of  a  missionary  meeting  is  an  essential  ele- 
ment in  its  success.  Some  people  think  that  when  they 
have  sung  "From  Greenland's  icy  mountains,"  they  have 
given  all  the  missionary  flavor  to  the  music  that  is  neces- 
sary. But  there  are  other  missionary  hymns — really  great 
ones — and  a  little  search  for  them  before  the  meeting  will 
be  amply  rewarded   in  increased   interest   and  enjoyment. 

Be  sparing  of  essays  and  readings.  If  it  seems  to  be 
best  to  have  some  participants  read  either  original  or 
selected  material,  be  sure  that  the  matter  is  brief  and  bright, 
and  pertinent  to  the  theme  of  the  meeting. 

Use  maps  and  charts  freely.  If  you  can  not  find  such 
material  of  this  sort  as  you  need,  there  is  large  room  for 
home-made  maps  and  charts.  These  need  not  be  elaborate, 
and  excellence  of  workmanship  is  not  absolutely  necessary. 
The  main  thing  is  that  they  shall  be  perfectly  legible  and 
tell  their  story  briefly  and  graphically. 

Much  may  be  made  of  the  use  in  public  of  letters  from 
the  mission  field.  These  can  be  very  helpful  in  a  mission- 
ary meeting,  provided  they  are  not  too  long  and  that  they 
are  well  read.  It  might  seem  superfluous  to  suggest  that 
whoever  reads  a  letter  from  the  field  in  public  should  first 
read  it  over  carefully  in  private.  Missionary  handwriting 
is  no  better  than  the  handwriting  of  any  other  busy  people, 
and  some  of  it  can  not  be  effectively  read  at  first  sight. 

These  missionary  letters  will  be  of  more  interest  if  the 
Chapter  is  using  the  Parish  Abroad  Plan,  formerly  called 
the  Station  Plan,  and  the  correspondence  comes  from  the 
field  where  the  Chapter's  contributions  are  being  applied. 
It  furnishes  the  nearest  approach  to  a  living  link  between 
the  home  and  the  foreign  field  that  can  be  devised.  This 
will  also  make  the  letter  more  interesting  to  the  writer, 
since  he  will  feel  that  he  is  writing  to  people  who  arc 
directly  concerned  in  his  work,  and  the  letter  which  inter- 
ests the  writer  is  for  that  very  reason  more  likely  to  interest 
the  recipients. 

176 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

Special  Themes  and  Plans. 

Chapters  which  are  so  situated  as  to  be  able  to  secure 
a  stereopticon  may  provide  an  occasionally  welcome  variety 
by  utilizing  that  implement.  The  Department  of  Mission- 
ary Education  has  available  a  list  of  stereopticon  lectures 
which  can  be  used  to  great  advantage. 

Another  means  of  occasional  interest  is  the  use  of  curios 
and  other  articles  from  the  missionary  field.  It  is  often 
possible  to  secure  a  really  interesting  collection  of  such 
articles,  and,  if  they  are  not  made  the  main  object  of  in- 
terest, but  are  used  to  illustrate  and  make  vivid  the  theme, 
of  the  meeting,  they  will  be  of  very  great  help.  But  it 
should  be  remembered  that  the  curios  are  merely  a  means 
to  an  end,  and  that  the  meeting  is  not  an  exhibition  of 
missionary  bric-a-brac. 

It  will  be  well  to  hold  a  missionary  meeting  occasionally 
in  which  the  details  of  the  organization  and  management 
of  Methodist  missions  shall  be  given.  The  Missionary 
Boards  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  are  great  and 
wonderful  organizations.  They  supervise  the  contributions 
of  $2,500,000  a  year,  and  the  activities  of  several  thousand 
missionaries  at  home  and  abroad.  Their  work  is  too  little 
known.  A  free  use  of  the  annual  reports  and  of  the  ad- 
mirable tracts  and  leaflets  which  are  now  available  will 
make  possible  a  most  interesting  and  informing  missionary 
meeting. 

One  missionary  meeting  which  should  certainly  be  held 
in  every  Chapter  of  the  Epworth  League  is  a  survey  of 
the  Methodist  foreign  mission  field.  The  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions  publishes  a  series  of  maps  covering  this  field,  and 
the  annual  report  will  furnish  the  statistics.  Each  great 
division  of  the  field  should  be  assigned  to  one  member  of 
the  Chapter,  who  will  give  briefly  a  sort  of  survey  of  the 
work,  its  workers,  its  methods,  and  its  history. 

Another  most  interesting  missionary  meeting  may  be 
arranged  with  stories  from  the  annals  of  missions.  No 
chapter  of  the  Church's  history  contains  more  heroic,  thrill- 
ing, and  pathetic  incidents  than  the  story  of  modern  mis- 
sions. In  using  this  material  one  word  of  caution  must  be 
spoken.  Do  not  permit  any  one  to  read  the  stories  selected. 
12  177 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Let  them  be  memorized,  as  to  their  main  facts,  before  the 
meeting,  and  then  told  in  simple,  natural  language. 

A  series  of  missionary  debates  can  be  made  both  inter- 
esting and  profitable.  A  few  subjects  suggest  themselves 
at  once:  The  question  of  the  value  of  modern  missions; 
the  comparative  value  of  married  or  unmarried  persons  as 
missionaries ;  the  question  as  to  how  far  missionaries  should 
be  engaged  in  the  work  of  secular  education ;  and  the  ques- 
tion whether  missionaries  should  receive  a  regular  salary 
cr  merely  the  promise  of  support, — that  is  to  say,  should 
missionaries  be  supported  like  ministers  in  the  home  field, 
or  like  deaconesses?  Many  other  questions  for  debate  will 
be  suggested  as  one  reads  the  missionary  literature  found 
in  our  Church  periodicals  and  elsewhere.  Indeed,  almost 
any  missionary  topic  may  be  transformed  into  a  debatable 
projDosition  by  putting  it  into  the  form  of  a  question.  For 
example:  the  topic,  "Educational  Work  in  the  Mission 
Field,"  stated  thus,  "Should  missionaries  provide  instruc- 
tion in  secular  branches?"  becomes  a  first-class  subject  for 
debate. 

"Are  the  native  converts  loyal?"  The  records  of  mis- 
sionary work  are  full  of  stirring  incidents  which  answer 
"yes"  to  this  question.  A  search  through  the  missionary 
libraries  will  provide  more  material  than  can  possibly  be 
used  in  any  one  evening. 

"The  rewards  of  faith"  is  a  suggestive  theme.  The 
first  converts  in  many  of  our  mission  fields  were  not  secured 
until  years  of  patient  labor  had  passed,  apparently  without 
result.  Gather  up  the  story  of  a  few  such  cases,  notably 
the  first  Chinese  convert,  the  first  Hindu  convert,  and  the 
first  years  of  work  in  Japan. 

A  "report"  meeting  may  be  filled  with  interest.  The 
reports  of  the  Missionary  Boards  are  issued  each  year.  Get 
them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  use  the  material  they  contain 
to  show  the  progress  of  the  work  in  the  past  year.  These 
reports  always  contain  abundant  illustrative  material,  direct 
from  the  field. 

Charts  are  easily  made,  and  are  very  effective.  A  list 
of  subjects   for  charts   is   given   elsewhere.      Many  ready- 

178 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

made  charts  can  be  had  from  the  Board  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, as  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  its  Literature  Catalog. 
A  cheap  and  effective  way  of  adding  to  the  interest  by 
means  of  maps  is  open  to  any  one  who  can  get  the  use  of  a 
hectograph  or  a  mimeograph.  The  map  may  be  traced 
from  a  good  atlas,  and  as  many  copies  printed  as  may  be 
needed.  If  the  map  is  a  simple  outline,  so  much  the  better, 
since  then  the  class  members  may  fill  in  the  outline  as  the 
study  progresses. 

Hints  for  the  Missionary  Meeting. 

Book  Reviews. — At  each  meeting  provide  for  a  brief 
review  of  one  of  the  books  in  the  Chapter's  missionary 
library,  preferably  one  which  bears  on  the  theme  of  the 
meeting.  This  will  increase  the  interest  in  the  library  and 
get  its  books  into  circulation. 

The  Missionary  Physician. — Let  this  meeting  be  as 
complete  a  presentation  of  the  subject  of  medical  missions 
as  can  be  made.  The  history  of  medical  missions  is  full  of 
interesting  and  convincing  stories  concerning  the  great  value 
of  this  form  of  missionary  activity. 

A  Question  Bee. — Start  a  missionary  question  box.  Let 
the  questions  be  handed  in  at  some  time  previous  to  the 
date  of  the  meeting,  so  that  preparation  for  answering  them 
may  be  made.  The  wider  the  range  of  questions,  the  more 
interesting  the  meeting  will  be. 

Missionary  Hindrances. — There  are  three  great  ob- 
stacles to  the  progress  of  missions — rum,  opium,  and 
slavery.  These  may  be  vividly  presented  by  means  of 
the  material  available  in  every  collection  of  missionary 
literature. 

Studies  of  Great  Missionaries. — The  missionary  libraries 
and  such  text-books  as  "The  Price  of  Africa,"  "Princely 
Men  in  the  Heavenly  Kingdom,"  "Heroes  of  the  Cross  in 
America,"  and  "Servants  of  the  King,"  offer  material  suffi- 
cient for  most  interesting  studies  of  typical  missionary 
leaders.  A  few  of  these  are  named  here.  The  list,  of 
course,  may  be  greatly  extended:  William  Butler,  Egerton 
Ryerson  Young,  Verbeck  of  Japan,  Bishop  Thoburn, 
Mackay   of   Uganda,   David   Livingstone,   William   Carev, 

179 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Gilmore  of  Mongolia,  John  G.  Paton,   Isabella  Thoburn, 
Adoniram  Judson. 

The  Profits  of  Missions. — A  most  striking  exhibit  oi' 
the  gain  of  missions  may  be  made,  dividing  the  subject  into 
these  parts :  The  commercial  gains,  the  geographical  gains, 
the  scientific  gains,  the  gains  of  civilization  in  general,  the 
spiritual  gains. 

Missions  in  Song. — A  song  service  in  which  the  great 
missionary  hymns  are  used  will  be  a  decided  success  if 
properly  managed.  It  will  be  a  revelation  to  a  great  many 
people  that  we  have  not  exhausted  the  list  of  missionary 
hymns  when  we  have  sung  "From  Greenland's  icy  moun- 
tains" and  "The  morning  light  is  breaking."  The  following 
hymns  are  available  for  such  a  service,  many  of  the  best 
of  them  being  found  in  the  Methodist  Hymnal: 

"Onward,  Christian  soldiers." 

"On  the  mountain's  top  appearing." 

"Savior,  sprinkle  many  nations." 

"Christ  for  the  world  we  sing." 

"Speed  Thy  servants,  Savior,  speed  them." 

"From  Greenland's  icy  mountains." 

"Fling  out  the  banner,  let  it  float." 

"Forward  be  our  watchword." 

"Jesus  shall  reign  where'er  the  sun." 

"The  morning  light  is  breaking." 

"All  people  that  on  earth  do  dwell." 

"O  Master,  let  me  walk  with  Thee." 

"Jesus  calls  us  o'er  the  tumult." 

"We  give  Thee  but  Thine  own." 

"Before  Jehovah's  awful  throne." 

"The  Son  of  God  goes  forth  to  war." 

"O,  where  are  kings  and  empires  now?" 

"Glorious  things  of  Thee  are  spoken." 

"Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  gates  of  brass." 

"Ye  Christian  heralds,  go  proclaim." 

"Hail  to  the  Lord's  anointed." 

"The  whole  wide  world  for  Jesus." 

"The  Church's  one  Foundation." 

"Eternal  Father,  Thou  hast  said." 

"All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name." 
180 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

"Thou  whose  almighty  word." 

"Soon  may  the  last  glad  song  arise." 

"Tell  it  out  among  the  heathen  that  the  Lord  is  King." 

"Watchman,  tell  us  of  the  night." 

"See  how  great  a  flame  aspires." 

"Hark!  the  song  of  jubilee." 

"Kingdom  of  light!  whose  morning-star." 

"O  Zion,  haste,  Thy  mission  high  fulfilling." 

Some  Sample  Programs. 

The  Methodist  Fields. — Ask  eight  members  to  represent 
the  various  mission  fields,  assigning  one  to  each.  Let  each 
speaker  put  the  case  as  a  native  Christian  of  the  country 
he  represents  would  put  it.  The  extent  of  the  field,  the 
number  of  workers,  the  forms  of  the  work,  the  successes 
attained,  and  the  unsatisfied  needs  that  press  on  every  hand 
should  be  the  main  points  emphasized.  The  more  the 
speaker  identifies  himself  with  the  people  for  whom  he 
speaks,  the  better.     The  speeches  must  be  short,  of  course. 

Perhaps  there  will  be  an  opportunity  to  push  the  Parish 
Abroad  Plan  as  the  most  practical  way  for  everybody  to 
help  answer  the  "Macedonian  call."  Write  to  the  Board 
of  Foreign  Missions,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City, 
for  particulars  of  the  plan  and  ways  of  working  it. 

Four  excellent  methods  of  conducting  this  meeting  are 
given  below. 

The  map  method.  Get  a  map  of  the  world  big  enough 
to  be  seen  from  all  parts  of  the  room.  Mark  on  it,  or  other- 
wise indicate,  the  location  of  the  great  mission  fields  of  the 
Church.  With  pointer  in  hand,  some  one  will  give  briefly 
the  outstanding  facts  concerning  each  field. 

The  "advocate"  method.  Appoint  members  as  "advo- 
cates" of  the  various  fields.  Ask  each  one  to  make  a  two 
or  three-minute  plea  for  the  people  whom  he  represents, 
stating  their  condition,  their  needs,  their  desire  for  the 
gospel,  and  other  pertinent  facts. 

The  chart  method.  Prepare  charts  which  will  show  the 
area  of  each  field,  its  population,  number  of  communicants, 
number  of  workers,  amount  spent  for  the  work,  number 
of  converts  last  jTear.     Use  your  own  Conference  as  a  basis 

181 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  comparison.  For  example,  a  certain  Conference  has  an 
area  of  13,000  square  miles.  Korea  has  84,424  square 
miles.  If  a  black  line  two  inches  long  represents  the  Con- 
ference area,  a  line  nearby  fourteen  inches  long  will  repre- 
sent Korea.     Apply  this  method  to  the  other  details. 

The  personal  method.  After  one  or  more  of  the  fore- 
going methods  have  been  used,  let  three  or  four  be  ready 
to  answer  this  question,  "In  the  light  of  the  great  com- 
mission, and  of  the  opportunities  available  on  every  hand, 
what  is  my  duty?"  Then  throw  the  question  open  for 
voluntary  answers. 

Abundant  material  for  this  meeting  may  be  found  in  the 
report  of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  and  in  leaflets  and 
other  literature  published  by  the  society. 

Women's  Work  in  the  Mission  Field. — The  great  pur- 
pose of  this  meeting  is  to  develop  intelligent  interest  in 
work  among  the  women  of  mission  lands. 

Write  to  the  nearest  depot  of  supplies  of  the  Woman's 
Foreign   Missionary   Society   for   a   package   of  literature. 
Twenty-five  cents  will  secure  a  rich  variety  of  fresh  and 
helpful   leaflets.      The   various   branches    maintain    supply 
depots  in  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia;  Baltimore,  Md. ; 
Cincinnati,    O. ;    Chicago;    Maryville,    Mo.;    Minneapolis, 
Minn.;  Lincoln,  Neb.;  Los  Angeles,  Cal;  Portland,  Ore. 
Among  the  many  suggestive  themes  available  are: 
"Women  under  other  religions." 
"Christ  and  women." 
"The  helplessness  of  heathen  women." 
"The  ministry  of  woman." 
"Medical  missions." 

"What  Christianity  has  done  for  women." 
A   Missionary  Inspiration  Meeting. — Have  many  mis- 
sionary prayers. 

Make  them  special,  not  general. 

Get  maps  and  charts  if  you  can.  If  they  are  not  large 
enough  to  be  seen  easily,  transfer  one  of  them  to  the  black- 
board. 

The  blackboard  work  will  be  more  effective,  even  though 
rather  crude,  if  it  can  be  done  as  an  accompaniment  to  the 
oral  explanation  of  it. 

182 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

Ask  these  questions  in  calling  for  testimony:  What  is 
the  next  thing  you  can  do  for  missions  ?  What  can  this 
Chapter  do,  more  than  it  is  doing?     This  Church? 

What  one  good  thing  do  you  know  about  missionary 
work  ? 

What  is  the  greatest  missionary  argument? 

What  great  missionary  book  have  you  read?  What  has 
it  done   for  you? 

What  is  the  real  difference  between  home  missions  and 
foreign   missions? 

How  can  we  know  that  we  have  power  to  do  missionary 
work  ? 

Why  is  the  missionary  called  to  make  greater  sacrifices 
than  the  people  who  stay  at  home? 

What  is  wrong  with  the  average  Christian's  notions 
about  missions? 

Is  there  too  much  emphasis  put  upon  the  question  of 
giving? 

What  is  the  net  gain  to  missions  from  this  meeting? 

Missionary  Socials. 

The  Second  Department  can  take  the  old-time  social 
and  give  it  a  new  lease  of  life.  The  social  can  be  under- 
taken with  a  purpose  which  will  put  it  above  the  level  of 
mere  entertainment.  It  can  be  made  more  entertaining  than 
ever,  and  yet  produce  results  in  information,  purpose,  and 
power  for  the  benefit  of  the  missionary  enterprise. 

In  planning  for  missionary  socials  the  missionary  li- 
braries will  prove  invaluable.  The  material  they  contain 
offers  almost  limitless  opportunity  for  social  evenings  of 
instruction  and  interest.  Without  going  into  details,  a  few 
characteristic  socials  are  here  suggested.  The  details  of 
their  working  out  will  not  be  difficult,  and  each  subject  sug- 
gested will  furnish  the  keynote  for  its  own  preparation. 

Games. — Spend  an  evening  playing  foreign  games,  us- 
ing the  characteristic  native  games  of  the  country  under 
consideration. 

The  Curio  Social. — This  offers  endless  variety.  In 
nearly  every  Church  there  are  people  who  possess  numerous 
mementos  of  travel,  and  souvenirs  sent  from  various  parts 

183 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  the  world.  An  exhibition  of  these,  with  some  comment 
on  the  countries  of  their  origin,  and  other  information 
which  will  he  suggested  by  the  articles  exhibited,  will  fur- 
nish an  interesting  evening's  diversion. 

The  Epoch  Social. — Take  a  period  of  time — a  century, 
half  century,  or  a  decade.  Let  different  speakers  sketch 
the  progress  of  missions  within  the  period  selected.  Give 
statistics  of  growth  and  development.  Tell  of  the  new 
opportunities  for  missionary  work  within  the  time  under 
consideration.  Give  the  notable  events  in  missionary  his- 
tory. Let  this  meeting  emphasize  the  rapid  march  of  the 
Kingdom  of  God  in  mission  fields. 

A  Missionary  Tour. — Plan  a  journey  to  three  or  four 
mission  fields.  Let  each  mission  be  represented  by  the  home 
of  one  of  the  members.  After  a  brief  stay  at  the  first  mis- 
sion field,  and  an  inspection  of  whatever  material  illus- 
trating the  work  of  the  field  may  be  available,  the  company 
passes  to  the  next  house  in  order,  and  so  on  until  the  tour 
has  been  completed.  The  decorations  at  each  place  will 
be  in  harmony  with  the  customs  of  the  field  represented. 

A  Founders'  Meeting. — At  this  meeting  have  brief  biog- 
raphies of  the  great  mission  founders,  Zinzendorf,  Carey, 
Mills,   Butler,   Taylor,  and  others. 

A  Surprise  Program. — A  surprise  program  will  bring 
some  desirable  results.  One  or  two  weeks  before  the  meet- 
ing, write  a  letter  to  eight  or  ten  of  your  brightest  people. 
Suggest  six  or  eight  parts  to  be  taken  in  a  missionary  pro- 
gram, such  as  telling  a  story,  singing  a  song,  giving  a  Bible 
reading  or  a  recitation,  reading  a  poem  or  a  paper.  Num- 
ber the  parts,  and  ask  each  to  designate  which  he  will  do. 
In  this  way  each  person  will  be  likely  to  be  exactly  fitted. 
They  must  not  tell  what  parts  they  have.  Do  not  announce 
the  parts  at  the  meeting.  Give  the  speakers  numbers  at 
the  service,  and  they  can  appear  unannounced  in  the  order 
of  their  numbers. 

Essay  Contest. — Have  an  essay  contest.  Limit  by  age 
or  not,  as  you  choose.  High  school  students  will  usually 
enter  with  zest.  Purchase  a  medal,  to  be  given  to  the  one 
who  writes  and  delivers  the  best  essay  on  some  mission  sub- 
ject.    Make  the  theme  a  person,  a  country,  a  station,  or  a 

184 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

truth.  Count  thought,  composition,  and  delivery.  Adver- 
tise extensively.  Name,  in  a  circular,  valuable  books  of 
reference.  Print  a  few  simple  rules  with  the  announce- 
ment. 

The  Machinery  of  Missions. — Few  people  know  how 
missionaries  are  sent  out,  how  they  live,  and  how  they  are 
controlled.  Ignorance  in  this  respect  loses  support  and 
arouses  opposition.  Describe  in  a  paper  the  composition, 
methods,  meeting  time,  and  missionary  tests  of  the  General 
Missionary  Committees  of  the  Home  and  Foreign  Boards. 
It  might  be  well  to  compare  different  denominations.  Some 
imagine  that  much  money  is  used  for  expenses.  Others 
hold  the  notion  that  missionaries  receive  large  salaries  and 
live  extravagantly.  The  "Bishop's  Conversion,"  by  Ellen 
Blackmar  Maxwell,  is  a  fine  answer  to  this  heresy.  The 
consecration  and  self-sacrifice  of  missionaries  will  touch 
sympathy  and  win  support. 

An  Imaginary  Trip. — When  studying  a  country,  draw 
a  map  on  the  blackboard.  Provide  cards  with  the  names 
of  stations  on  them.  When  a  place  is  mentioned  in  the 
study,  let  some  one  come  forward  and  stick  the  card  with 
a  thumb-tack  into  its  proper  location  on  the  map.  (Use 
the  same  method  in  speaking  of  the  missionaries,  and  place 
the  names  of  the  workers  on  the  map  at  the  stations.) 
Let  a  good  speaker  take  an  imaginary  trip,  describing  the 
customs  seen  and  experiences  met  until  he  comes  to  a  mis- 
sionary station.  Then  an  appointed  person  appears,  places 
the  card  at  the  proper  place,  and  tells  about  the  work  at 
that  point.  The  speaker  then  resumes  his  trip  until  another 
station  is  reached,  when  another  appointed  person  places 
another  card  and  describes  the  work.  So  it  continues  until 
the  trip  is  completed. 

An  Information  Social. — Large  maps  showing  the  mis- 
sion stations  may  be  hung  around  the  room.  If  none  of 
these  are  yet  available,  ask  the  young  men  to  prepare  them 
from  the  maps  in  the  magazines  and  reports.  Four  feet  by 
three  is  a  good  size.  White  paper  pasted  on  calico,  a  brush, 
and  a  little  ink  will  not  cost  much.  Colored  inks,  or  diluted 
aniline  dyes,  may  be  used  with  good  effect  to  show  the 
different   districts.      Use   diagram    showing   tin-    growth    of 

185 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  missions,  the  proportion  of  heathen  and  Christian  popu- 
lation, and  the  money  spent  for  the  work  of  the  field. 

Curiosities  from  the  mission  fields  may  be  explained  and 
examined.  Idols  that  have  been  worshiped  prove  inter- 
esting. 

Books  of  photographs,  as  well  as  some  good  missionary 
biographies,  should  be  laid  upon  the  tables  for  inspection. 

One  or  two  short  letters  from  persons  in  the  foreign 
field  may  be  read.  But  they  must  be  lively,  interesting, 
and  to  the  point. 

Of  course,  missionary  hymns  will  be  sung,  but  a  hymn 
in  a  foreign  language  copied  on  the  blackboard,  and  sung 
by  the  Music  Committee,  will  add  to  the  interest  of  the 
meeting. 

A  Ceremonial  Social. — Spend  an  evening  in  reproducing 
some  of  the  striking  social  and  political  ceremonies  of  vari- 
ous mission  lands.  It  may  be  wise  to  limit  the  ceremonies 
to  one  country,  or  a  broader  field  may  be  occupied  and 
typical  ceremonies  of  mission  countries  may  be  reproduced. 

The  Cycle  of  Prayer. 

The  world  needs  to-day  more  than  anything  else  a  con- 
stant devotional  study  of  the  Bible  accompanied  by  believ- 
ing prayer.  It  is  suggested  that  a  Prayer  Cycle  be  used  in 
keeping  the  Morning  Watch,  which  consists  in  setting  aside 
the  first  moments  of  each  day  for  devotional  Bible  study 
and  secret  prayer. 

In  using  such  a  cycle  strive  to  avoid  formality,  irregu- 
larity, haste,  indolence,  insufficient  preparation,  and  limita- 
tion of  our  prayers  to  intercession.  Rather  let  us  be  fervent 
in  spirit,  joyful  and  thankful,  asking  for  definite  things, 
and  believing  that  our  prayers  will  be  answered  when  we 
ask  according  to  His  will. 

It  would  greatly  increase  our  power  in  prayer  if  eacli 
person  would  make  a  careful  devotional  study  of  the  Bible 
with  reference  to  prayer,  and  thus  come  to  a  clear  knowl- 
edge of  the  prayer  life — its  teachings,  conditions,  promises, 
and  examples.  Secure,  if  possible,  "With  Christ  in  the 
School  of  Prayer"  and  "The  Ministry  of  Intercession,"  by 
Andrew  Murray,  each  75  cents,  and  "The  Morning  Watch," 

180 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD   INTERESTS. 

"Secret  Prayer,"  and  "Bible  Study  for  Personal  Growth," 
by  John  R.  Mott,  and  "Prayer  and  Missions,"  by  Robert 
E.  Speer,  each  5  cents. 

It  is  desired  that  every  person  adopting  one  of  these 
Cycles  of  Prayer  be  very  faithful  in  the  observance  of  its 
use,  because  in  united  prayer  there  is  untold  power. 

Complete  copies  of  a  carefully  arranged  "Cycle"  in 
leaflet  form,  containing  much  suggestive  material  and  spaces 
for  noting  special  petitions,  may  be  had  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Missionary  Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York,  at  the  rate  of  10  cents  each. 

The  missionary  reference  libraries  have  abundance  of 
material  which  will  illustrate  the  power  of  prayer  and 
remarkable  answers  to  prayer  in  the  mission  field.  Every 
missionary  who  has  won  success  will  testify  that  the  use 
of  prayer  in  his  work  has  been  the  chief  secret  of  its 
progress. 

Direct  Contact  With   Missionaries. 

Not  every  Epworth  League  can  be  so  fortunate  as  to 
secure  a  visit  from  a  missionary,  but  almost  any  League 
can  secure  the  personal  touch  that  comes  through  corre- 
spondence. 

Everybody  wants  a  work  of  his  own,  a  definite  object 
to  support  on  the  foreign  field.  People  like  to  hear  of  good 
done  by  their  gifts.  The  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  150 
Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City,  has  worked  out  the  Parish 
Abroad  Plan  as  a  way  of  securing  to  Churches,  Sunday 
schools,  Epworth  Leagues,  and  to  individuals  this  living 
link — the  direct  personal  touch  with  a  particular  mission 
field   and  a  definite  task. 

It  is  their  purpose  to  secure  for  each  missionary  and 
each  district  in  the  foreign  field  a  constituency  at  home, 
thus  bringing  into  the  lives  of  our  missionaries  and  native 
workers  those  great  increments  of  strength  which  come  from 
the  prayers,  the  messages,  and  the  love  of  an  organized 
circle  of  friends  and  co-laborers  here  in  the  homeland. 

Money  contributed  on  the  Parish  Abroad  Plan  goes 
to  pay  the  salaries  of  missionaries  and  native  workers ;  to 
aid  in  the  evangelization  of  districts  and  circuits;  for  the 

187 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

support  of  native  Churches  in  need;  for  itinerating,  prop- 
erty repairs  and  maintenance,  and  all  the  various  items 
involved  in  the  general  expense  of  a  work  that  belts  the 
globe. 

In  some  cases  the  Epworth  Leagues  of  a  district  join 
in  taking  the  full  support  of  a  missionary  who  is  definitely 
assigned  to  them,  in  which  case  his  letters  are  duplicated  at 
the  office  of  the  Board  and  forwarded  to  the  Leagues  con- 
cerned. In  other  cases,  the  Epworth  League  will  join  with 
its  home  Church  and  Sunday  school  in  the  support  of  a 
foreign  parish.  In  still  other  cases  the  League  takes  for 
itself  a  definite  piece  of  work  in  the  foreign  field,  with 
which  it  is  kept  in  touch  through  correspondence  with  the 
missionary  or  native  worker  in  charge.  Full  information 
as  to  this  plan  can  be  obtained  by  writing  to  the  Mis- 
sionary Secretaries,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

Many  Churches  are  in  the  habit  of  sending  gifts  to 
home  missionaries  on  our  frontiers,  or  in  the  more  destitute 
sections  of  the  homeland.  Some  Epworth  Leagues  might 
like  to  send  a  Christmas  box  or  other  gifts  to  the  foreign 
field.  Such  a  box,  if  filled  with  wisely  selected  gifts,  would 
be  greatly  appreciated.  It  must  be  remembered,  however, 
that  in  many  cases  there  is  a  considerable  duty  to  be  paid, 
especially  in  Japan  and  Korea.  Cases  have  been  known 
where  missionaries  who  could  ill  afford  it  have  paid  more  in 
duty  than  the  contents  of  the  box  were  really  worth  to  them. 
This  question  of  duty  to  be  paid  should  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration before  the  box  is  sent,  and  provision  made  so 
that  this  expense  may  not  fall  to  the  missionary. 

It  happens  very  frequently  that  a  missionary's  family 
in  a  foreign  land  lives  amidst  the  most  bare  and  unat- 
tractive surroundings.  Luxuries  are  not  to  be  thought  of. 
Under  these  circumstances  a  missionary  box  from  an  Ep- 
worth League  Chapter  would  be  a  veritable  Godsend. 
Omit  necessities  from  the  box.  The  bare  materials  of  sub- 
sistence will  be  secured  somehow.  But  the  things  which 
the  missionary  family  lacks  are  the  little  extravagances  in 
which  we  indulge  ourselves  so  lavishly,  but  which  to  them 
are  entirely  out  of  the  question.  The  missionary  may  long 
to  buy  a  few  modern  books,  but  where  is  the  money  to  come 

188 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD   INTERESTS. 

from?  His  wife  and  family  may  desire  to  read  the  latest 
new  story  that  sells  in  this  country  by  the  thousands.  A 
copy  slipped  into  the  missionary  box  would  be  exceedingly 
welcome.  Even  a  little  candy  of  a  quality  that  will  stand 
transportation  would  be  much  more  enthusiastically  received 
than  some  people  imagine. 

Every  woman  can  think  of  things  that  a  woman  likes 
to  have — the  little  incidental  belongings  which  go  to  make 
up  the  charm  in  the  home,  but  which  are  counted  in  the 
missionary  household  under  the  head  of  luxuries  that  can 
be  dispensed  with.  All  these  things  and  many  others  will 
suggest  themselves  to  any  group  of  thoughtful  people,  will 
make  the  preparation  and  sending  and  receiving  of  a  mis- 
sionary box  a  matter  of  unalloyed  delight. 

Other  Missionary  Material. 

Do  not  stop  with  the  reference  libraries.  They  are 
merely  a  beginning  of  missionary  literature.  Start  a  mis- 
sionary library  that  will  aim  at  one  hundred  or  more  vig- 
orous and  interesting  volumes.  Do  not  be  afraid  if  it  rivals 
or  even  excels  the  Sunday  school  library.  Use  the  mis- 
sionary periodicals,  the  missionary  reports,  and  any  other 
available  literature. 

Make  a  missionary  scrapbook.  Some  of  the  best  mis- 
sionary information  is  found  in  the  current  periodicals,  and 
some  of  the  most  attractive  and  interesting  pictures  are  in 
the  same  papers.  Unless  it  is  captured  at  the  time  it  ap- 
pears it  will  be  lost.  The  missionary  scrapbook  may  be 
made  a  most  useful  and  valuable  addition  to  the  missionary 
library. 

Beware  of  antiquated  missionary  literature.  Much  ef 
it  is  not  at  all  suited  to  present-day  needs.  Do  not  put  a 
book  on  the  shelves  because  it  was  given  to  the  Epworth 
League  for  that  purpose.  Let  somebody  of  sense  and  dis- 
crimination read  the  book.  If  it  is  morbid  or  one-sided, 
or  in  any  way  unsuited  to  the  needs  of  the  Chapter,  do 
not  use  it. 

The  Department  of  Missionary  Education  is  always 
ready  to  send  lists  of  the  best  current  missionary  literature, 
whether  in  leaflet,  pamphlet,  or  book  form.     Make  free  use 

180 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAX. 

of  the  Department's  facilities,  which  are  for  this  very  pur- 
pose. And  be  sure  to  get  its  most  helpful  material  on 
"How  to  Get  Missionary  Books  Read." 

Charts,  especially  if  they  are  made  by  members  of  the 
class,  have  a  value  entirely  distinct  from  and  greater  than 
any  other  missionary  device.  Anybody  can  make  a  mis- 
sionary chart.  A  small  sketch  may  be  made,  then  enlarged 
to  any  size  convenient.  The  subjects  for  missionary  charts 
are  well-nigh  infinite  in  their  variety. 

Suggestions  for  Missionary  Charts. — Comparative  sta- 
tistics: Of  population,  of  giving  and  spending,  of  heathen 
and  Christian  areas,  of  proportionate  number  of  preachers 
to  communicants,  of  proportionate  number  of  preachers  to 
population,  of  the  rate  of  growth  in  heathen  and  in  Chris- 
tian countries. 

The  reflex  influence  of  missions :  On  the  Church  at 
home,  on  commerce,  on  the  growth  and  development  of 
nations,  on  language  and  literature,  on  explorations,  on 
industrial  development. 

The  increase  of  opportunity,  the  distribution  of  lan- 
guages, the  increase  of  written  languages,  the'  increase  of 
Bible  translations,  doors  opened  by  world  politics  and  civili- 
zation. 

Free    Helps   for   the   Second    Department. 

Perhaps  there  are  as  many  as  a  hundred  Second  Vice- 
Presidents  who  do  not  yet  know  what  large  provision  is 
made  for  them  by  the  Missionary  Education  Department 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

If  the  hundred  will  read  what  follows,  they  will  become 
enlightened. 

The  Missionary  Education  Department  will  send,  to 
any  Second  Vice-President  or  devotional  meeting  leader 
who  asks  for  it,  special  material  on  any  missionary  subject 
assigned  as  a  regular  topic  in  the  League  devotional  meet- 
ing. 

The  department  will  also  send,  to  any  leader  of  a  mis- 
sion study  class  who  reports  the  fact  that  such  a  class  has 

190 


THE   LEAGUE'S  WORLD   INTERESTS. 

been  organized,  full  directions,  prepared  by  experts,  for 
the  successful  conduct  of  the  class. 

Besides  these  two  forms  of  service,  there  is  nothing  in 
the  way  of  missionary  educational  material  which  the  de- 
partment will  not  supply,  if  it  is  in  print. 

Still  further,  the  department  invites  correspondence  on 
all  the  problems  of  missionary  education  in  the  League, 
and  will  furnish  expert  assistance  in  the  work  of  solving 
those  problems. 

All  this  help  is  free,  except  that  in  some  cases  there 
is  a  small  charge  for  booklets  and  other  material,  usually 
less  than  the  cost  of  printing. 

A  service  of  special  interest  to  those  living  remote  from 
New  York  or  Chicago  is  offered  through  the  departments 
mailing  list.  On  request,  any  Second  Vice-President's  name 
will  be  placed  on  this  list,  and  thereafter  through  the  year 
the  special  material  for  the  League  missionary  meetings 
will  be  sent  well  in  advance  of  the  dates  when  it  is  to  be 
used. 

For  instance,  on  The  Epworth  Herald  devotional  page, 
when  a  missionary  topic  is  being  considered,  the  announce- 
ment appears  that  special  helps  on  this  topic  will  be  sent 
to  those  who  write  to  the  Missionary  Education  Depart- 
ment. 

But  a  California  or  Oregon  leader  who  writes  for  these 
special  helps  after  seeing  this  notice  will  not  receive  them 
in  time  to  make  the  most  profitable  use  of  them. 

The  better  way  is,  plainly,  that  Second  Vice-Presidents 
shall  write  once  for  all  the  year's  supplies,  asking  to  be 
put  on  the  department's  mailing  list.  That  costs  nothing, 
and  insures  the  receipt  of  the  helps  when  they  will  really 
help.  When  they  arrive,  it  is  easy  enough  to  see  that  the 
leaders   get   them. 

The  department  renders  other  forms  of  service,  to  be 
discovered  only  by  those  who  make  use  of  its  facilities.  For 
it  exists  only  to  be  useful. 

We  recommend  its  acquaintance  to  every  Second  Vice- 
President  in  the  whole  League.  Its  address  is  150  Fifth 
Avenue,   New   York. 

191 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

More    Formal   Missionary   Entertainments. 

The  Missionary  Education  Department  will  provide  ma- 
terial for  missionary  entertainments  of  a  more  ambitious 
nature  than  any  described  in  this  book.  Such,  for  example, 
is  the  popular  program  on  "New  Americans  for  New 
America,"  with  a  great  wealth  of  illustrative  material ;  and 
similar  ones  on  "The  Immigrant  Gateway"  and  "The  New 
Era  in  Asia."  The  available  literature  of  this  character, 
like  most  other  missionary  literature,  is  constantly  being 
enriched  and  increased. 

Material  for  the  Study  of  Benevolences. 

Each  of  the  benevolent  societies  publishes  an  annual 
report  giving  in  detail  the  work  of  the  society.  These  are 
interesting,  compact,  and  complete.  The  committee  should 
obtain  each  of  these  reports  each  year,  and  preserve  them 
as  part  of  the  library  of  the  Department  of  World  Evan- 
gelism. They  will  be  useful  as  references  in  preparing 
jjrograms,  for  individual  investigation  of  the  work  of  the 
various  societies,  and  for  tracing  the  development  of  the 
work  from  year  to  year.  They  will  be  sent  free  of  charge 
to  any  one  making  application  to  the  secretaries  of  the  vari- 
ous Boards. 

The  Year-Book  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
contains  information  concerning  every  phase  of  our  Church 
work,  and  should  be  in  the  hands  of  the  committee.  There 
is  given  for  each  benevolent  cause  a  brief  survey  of  its 
organization  and  development,  together  with  a  summary 
of  the  work  of  the  past  year,  including  some  pointed,  vital, 
and  interesting  statistics.  (Price,  25  cents;  by  mail,  30 
cents.) 

Some  of  the  Boards  publish  official  monthly  or  quar- 
terly papers,  which  contain  contributions  from  leaders  and 
active  field  workers,  telling  of  the  peculiar  part  these  so- 
cieties are  occupying  in  the  evangelization  of  the  world. 
These  will  be  especially  interesting  to  the  young  people. 
Subscribe  for  them,  and  add  them  to  the  library  of  the 
Chapter. 

All  of  these  Boards  furnish  leaflets  and  tracts  containing 
valuable  facts  and  attractive  incidents  and  anecdotes.     Se- 

192 


THE   LEAGUE'S  WORLD   INTERESTS. 

cure  several  copies  of  each  of  these  and  fasten  them  together 
to  form  small  booklets,  and  circulate  these  as  books  from 
your  library. 

Use  a  system  of  pledges  for  the  reading  of  these  dif- 
ferent publications  in  connection  with  the  missionary  library 
work.  All  literature  of  this  department  should  be  merged 
in  the  missionary  library  scheme. 

Secure  the  circulation  of  our  weekly  Church  papers, 
which  abound  in  good,  fresh  material.  Let  one  copy  be 
bought  or  borrowed  for  the  library,  and  get  as  many  private 
subscriptions  as  you  can  secure.  Let  prayer  and  facts  take 
the  place  of  the  monotonous  meeting  which  you  have  so 
often  had. 

Arrange  the  collection  of  material  into  scrapbooks, 
folders,  or  envelopes,  alphabetically  filed,  or  prepare  a  card 
catalogue  with  six  divisions,  one  for  each  benevolent  Board. 

Information  concerning  Church  benevolences  can  readily 
and  properly  be  presented  at  a  regular  devotional  meeting 
of  the  Chapter. 

Occasionally  the  devotional  topic  will  pertain  entirety 
to  some  one  of  these  benevolences.  At  such  times  the  Eirst 
Vice-President  might  turn  the  whole  service  over  to  the 
Department  of  World  Evangelism. 

Throughout  the  year  many  opportunities  will  arise  be- 
cause of  the  relation  of  the  regular  topic  to  one  or  more 
of  these  benevolent  themes.  Instead  of  the  testimomT  meet- 
ing, perhaps  it  would  be  possible  to  arrange  for  a  sym- 
posium of  interesting  facts  to  illustrate  the  Scripture  lesson 
and  the  leader's  remarks. 

The  social  meetings  of  the  Chapter  may  be  utilized  in 
co-operation  with  the  Fourth  Department.  Programs  ar« 
often  arranged  with  the  work  of  poets,  missionaries,  and 
great  preachers.  When  the  Fourth  Vice-President  is  look- 
ing for  something  new,  let  him  propose  an  evening  among 
the  colored  people  of  the  South,  describing  their  literary 
and  professional  schools,  and  the  work  of  industrial  edu- 
cation. In  this  meeting  follow  the  motto  of  the  famous 
colored  man,  to  "Db  a  common  thing  in  an  uncommon  way." 
and   your  evening  will   be  a   success. 

Plans  should  be  made  several  weeks  in  advance  for 
13  193 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

securing  material  and  utilizing  every  opening  which  may 
be  found  for  the  imparting  of  facts  concerning  the  various 
benevolences. 

What  One  Chapter  Did. 

It  would  be  a  fascinating  thing  if  we  could  trace  every 
dollar  of  benevolent  money  to  its  final  destination.  That 
cannot  be  done  actually,  but  in  imagination  we  can  follow 
the  process. 

Here  is  a  Chapter  whose  members  every  year  give  about 
$150  for  the  regular  benevolences.  What  has  that  Chap- 
ter done? 

It  has  supported  two  native  teachers,  one  in  India  and 
one  in  China,  who  have  kept  alight  the  torch  of  Christian 
hope  in  the  midst  of  heathenism,  with  famine,  prejudice, 
and  pestilence  all  about  them. 

It  has  provided  windows  and  doors  for  a  little  church 
in  a  neighborhood  where  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  will 
be  a  power  long  after  the  givers  of  the  money  have  gone 
home  to   heaven. 

It  has  sent  two  hundred  tracts  to  a  group  of  immigrants 
just  landed  on  our  shores,  greeting  them  with  a  Christly 
message  in  their  own  tongue,  so  that  they  have  felt  at  once 
a  little  less  strange  in  the  strange  land,  and  are  more  re- 
sponsive to   Christian   effort. 

It  has  kept  a  Sunda^y  school  in  Montana  in  literature 
and  supplies  for  a  month. 

It  has  paid  the  salary  of  a  teacher  in  Philander  Smith 
College  for  two  weeks,  during  which  time  four  hundred 
eager  black  boys  and  girls  have  been  given  a  taste  of  the 
knowledge  they  covet  so  intensely. 

It  has  paid  for  two  weeks  all  the  expenses — how  small 
they  are ! — of  a  young  man  in  college  who  may  some  day 
go  to  that  Chapter  as  its  pastor,  and  be  a  better  man  for 
the  place  by  the  amount  of  that  two  weeks'  schooling. 

It  has  bought  twenty  Testaments,  which  a  deaconess 
gave  to  the  hitherto  Scriptureless  children  in  a  down-town 
Sunday  school.  And  so,  while  the  Chapter  has  been  jog- 
ging along  about  as  usual,  it  has  touched  the  two  most 
populous  centers  of  heathenism  with  gospel  truth.     It  has 

194 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

stood  with  the  advance  guard  of  civilization  on  our  own 
frontier.  It  has  taught  Sunday  school  in  the  Northwest, 
and  given  hope  and  inspiration  to  a  school  full  of  Negro 
boys  and  girls  in  the  South.  It  has  been  to  college  with 
a  needy,  courageous,  self-helping  candidate  for  God's  min- 
istry of  preaching.  It  has  gone  up  and  down  the  stairs 
of  Chicago  rookeries  with  a  direct  descendant  of  Paul's  co- 
laborer,  Phoebe,  the  first  of  deaconesses. 

And  everywhere,  teaching,  healing,  feeding,  cheering, 
it  has  been  busy  with  the  very  essence  of  Christ's  work 
on  earth,  and  has  earned  his  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done 
it  unto  the  least  of  these  My  brethren,  ye  have  done  it 
unto  Me." 

Where  to  Write. 

As  has  been  suggested  in  numerous  places  in  this  chap- 
ter, the  greatest  source  of  world  evangelism  material  is  the 
Department  of  Missionary  Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue, 
New  York. 

Requests  for  material  regarding  the  various  benevolent 
societies  should  be  sent  to — 

The  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  Church  Extension, 
Arch  Street,  Philadephia. 

The  Freedmen's  Aid  Society,  220  West  Fourth  Street, 
Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

The  Board  of  Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 
City. 

The  American  Bible  Society,  Bible  House,  New  York 
City. 

Christian  Stewardship. 

While  the  principle  of  Christian  Stewardship  has  been 
fostered  by  th£  League  from  the  beginning,  it  was  given 
official  recognition  by  the  Board  of  Control  in  the  revised 
Constitution  of  1903,  with  a  place  in  the  Department  of 
World  Evangelism.  The  Constitution  says :  "At  least  once 
each  year  it  (the  Department  of  World  Evangelism)  shall 
present  to  the  Chapters  the  claims  of  Christian  Steward- 
ship, and  shall  seek  to  enroll  the  members  in  the  Christian 
Stewardship  Enrollment." 

195 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  Christian  Stewardship  Enrollment. 

The  Christian  Stewardship  Enrollment  is  not  a  new 
organization;  it  is  simply  an  enrollment  of  members  of  the 
Epworth  League  or  others  who  will  sign  and  endeavor  to 
get  others  to  sign  a  card  reading  as  follows:  "I  desire 
to  be  enrolled  as  a  Christian  Steward,  who  will  hold  all 
that  God  shall  give  me  in  trust  for  Him.  I  will  pay  not 
less  than  one-tenth  of  my  income  regularly  and  directly 
to  His  cause." 

The  enrollment  of  all  persons  who  will  sign  the  pledge 
is  kept  in  the  office  of  the  Department  of  World  Evan- 
gelism. Already  there  are  a  large  number  of  names  on 
record  in  the  Epworth  League  office.  The  advantage  of 
this  enrollment  should  be  faithfully  presented  at  the  time 
of  the  regular  annual  Christian  Stewardship  meeting.  The 
young  people  should  be  urged  to  give  this  great  subject 
their  prayerful  consideration  and  finally  should  be  asked 
to  join  its  rank. 

The  Four  Methods  of  Giving. 

There  are  four  methods  in  common  use. 

The  go-as-you-please  method — taking  a  collection — is 
really  the  lack  of  a  method.  A  collection  is  what  people 
would  rather  give  than  be  bothered,  and  leads  to  the  time 
when  people  would  rather  be  bothered  than  give  at  all. 
When  a  collection  is  taken  up  for  missions,  enthusiasm  for 
missions  is  taken  down.  The  missionary  offering  should 
be  the  culmination  of  the  year's  work.  The  Epworthian 
who  merely  passes  the  hat,  deserves  to  lose  it,  for  he  has 
no  head  worthy  of  it. 

The  please-as-you-go  method — giving  enough  to  be  re- 
spectable— is  the  most  common  one.  Most  business  men 
give  enough  to  maintain  a  good  standing  with  their  fellow- 
members.  As  standing  with  men  becomes  more  assured, 
giving  becomes  less.  Liberality  naturally  diminishes  as 
social  recognition  increases.  The  trumpet-blowing  method 
sounds  well,  but  it  is  generally  lacking  in  sense,  and  always 
in  dollars. 

The  giving  a  part  of  what  is  laid  by — the  method  of 
cheap  emotional  appeal — is  uncertain  in  its  present  effect 

190 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

for  good,  and  certain  in  future  effect  for  evil.  The  people 
who  have  given  because  of  your  passionate  appeal  will 
afterwards  feel  that  they  were  trapped,  and  will  harden 
themselves  against  you  in  the  future.  If  you  depend  on 
impulse  to-day,  you  may  depend  on  repulse  to-morrow. 
And  then  the  appeal  to  emotion  is  not  sure,  even  for  once. 
The  people  may  give  as  they  feci,  and  yet  not  give  until 
they  feel. 

The  laying  by  a  part  to  give — the  deep  devotional  method 
— is  commended  by  practical  wisdom  as  by  Scripture  prece- 
dent. If  there  were  no  authority  for  an}'  method,  the 
obligation  to  have  the  best  one  would  be  sufficient.  That 
is  not  deficient  in  theory  which  is  efficient  in  practice. 

Three   Pertinent   Points. 

How  can  we  give  to  God?  He  has  no  needs.  But  "the 
least  of  these"  are  His  representatives  on  earth,  and  they 
have  needs  which  are  real  enough  and  bitter  enough.  At 
the  last  the  Judge  will  say,  "Inasmuch — "     What? 

God's  worship  must  be  sustained,  and  God's  work  must 
be  done.  But  is  it  not  a  mistake  to  spend  two  dollars  on 
worship  to  every  one  that  is  spent  on  work?  "To  labor 
is  to  pray,"  says  the  proverb.  Work  may  be  prayer,  but 
worship  can  never  be  real  worship  unless  it  is  associated 
with  work.  In  a  word,  do  not  give  to  music  more  than  you 
give  to  missions. 

More  than  the  tenth  belongs  to  God.  The  other  nine- 
tenths  are  His  also.  But  the  tenth  is  a  rough  guide  to  the 
beginnings  of  a  plan  by  which  a  certain  amount  is  to  be 
set  aside  for  special  religious  and  benevolent  uses.  The 
proportion  of  one-tenth  for  religion  to  nine-tenths  for  per- 
sonal uses  has  commended  itself  to  the  devout  thought  of 
the  world  for  ages.  At  the  least,  it  is  worth  trying  until 
a  better  way  is  found.  And  the  "better  way"  should  not 
be  one  which   reduces  the  amount  of  one's  giving. 

Right  and  Wrong  Motives  for  Giving. 
The  existence  of  a  demand  is  not  sufficient  motive.     The 
tramp,  the  beggar,  and   the   anarchist  are  as   importunate 

197 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

as  the  orphans,  the  Christless  millions,  the  sick,  and  the 
afflicted.  Sometimes  more  so.  One  might  easily  give  his 
whole  income  to  the  unworthy  if  the  clamor  for  his  giving 
were  sufficient  reason. 

We  are  not  to  give  because  somebody  says  we  must. 
God's  claim  on  us  is  not  a  tax  or  an  assessment.  If  we 
give  only  on  compulsion,  we  do  not  really  give  at  all. 

The  only  sufficient  motive  is,  "Because  I  love."  That 
is  God's  motive.  It  is  the  motive  of  all  real  giving.  It 
pours  out  costly  spikenard  and  tears  of  gratitude,  when 
duty  tenders  only  the  formal  feast  of  custom.  It  does  not 
appeal  to  the  selfish,  for  they  need  only  to  keep  in  order 
to  show  where  their  love  is  strongest. 

The  Significance  of  Giving. 

The  work  of  God  waits  for  the  million  givers  of  single 
dollars  rather  than  for  the  one  giver  of  a  million  dollars. 

Giving  is  a  vital  part  of  our  fellowship.  Here  the  two 
mites  and  the  great  contribution  meet  on  the  level.  Else- 
where "money  talks,"  and  the  more  money,  the  more  talk. 
But  "the  fellowship  of  the  saints"  which  is  regulated  by  a 
financial  yardstick  is  a  mocking  sham. 

Giving  is  the  one  practical  outcome  of  all  prayer  and 
talk  and  activity  for  the  work  of  the  Kingdom  beyond  your 
own  parish. 

Giving — not  the  payment  of  Church  dues — is  the  chief 
benevolent  means  of  grace.  For  your  other  payments  you 
get  value  received.  Even  the  sermon  is  worth  what  you 
pay  for  it,  and  more.  It  is  not  "giving"  to  pay  for  your 
share  of  the  light  and  heat  and  the  manifold  physical  com- 
forts of  the  church  building.  Real  giving  begins  after  all 
that  is  paid. 

Christian  Stewardship  begins  with  the  getting  of  pos- 
sessions. Some  businesses  are  utterly  closed  to  the  Chris- 
tian. His  greatest  imperative  is  not  "I  must  live,"  but 
"I  must  do  right."  Acids  can  wash  some  dirt  from  gold, 
but  not  the  dirt  of  an  unclean  or  unrighteous  business. 

Christian  Stewardship  has  a  bearing  in  our  spending 
of  our  possessions.     The  test  of  every  expenditure  should 

198 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD   INTERESTS. 

be,  "Will  it  make  me  better  able  to  live  the  life  to  which 
God  calls  me?"  If  so,  then  you  need  not  hesitate  to  spend 
money  on  yourself.  Go  on  to  the  mountains  or  the  -sea, 
buy  that  long-desired  book,  or  piece  of  furniture,  or  picture. 
You  have  God's  permission  to  make  the  most  and  the  best 
of  yourself.  Some  people  fret  at  the  limitations  of  the 
"eternal  moral."  As  well  might  the  condor  of  the  Andes 
fret  because  he  has  not  more  atmosphere  in  which  to  soar. 
When  we  fret  thus  we  desire  a  cage  built  of  the  wires  of 
our  own  self-love. 

The  Laws  of  Stewardship. 

The  first  law  of  Christian  Stewardship  is,  "Ye  are  not 
your  own." 

Every  disciple  admits  the  truth  of  this  law,  for  two 
reasons.  Eirst,  he  has  been  personally  rescued  from  sin  and 
the  death  of  sin.     Henceforth  he  may  not  live  unto  himself. 

Then,  the  great  motive  of  the  new  life  is  service,  min- 
istry, self-forgetf ulness ;  in  a  word,  putting  the  responsi- 
bilities of  the  Kingdom  on  every  member. 

The  second  law  of  Christian  Stewardship  is,  "Your  pos- 
sessions are  not  your  own."  They  are  a  part  of  you — you 
have  exchanged  something  for  them.  They  stand  for  so 
much  outgo  of  personal  effort.  You  have  given  yourself 
for  them.  So  they  belong  to  the  same  Christ  to  whom  you 
belong.  "Whoso  I  am"  is  meaningless  unless  it  is  explained 
by  "whom  I  serve."  Christ  can  not  possess  those  who  do 
not  work  for  Him. 

The  third  law  of  Christian  Stewardship  is,  "Your  pos- 
sessions project  you  into  the  outer  world  beyond  the  reacli 
of  your  personal  presence."  They  illustrate  the  indestructi- 
bility of  energy.  Power  is  never  lost,  or  the  world  would 
one  day  come  to  a  standstill. 

There  are  four  ways  of  using  our  possessions. 

They  may  be  squandered  in  selfish  pleasure.  Then  they 
are  out  of  our  control,  and  we  have  no  gain  in  character 
or  efficiency  to  show  for  them. 

They  may  be  defiled  by  being  put  to  base  uses.  That 
transforms  them  into  forces  of  personal  or  social  damage, 
for  which  we  are  responsible. 

199 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

They  may  be  invested  in  recreation,  education,  business ; 
but  that  always  raises  the  question  of  motive.  Why  play? 
Why  study?  Why  buy  and  sell  and  get  gain?  None  of 
these  things  are  sufficient  in  themselves. 

They  may  be  glorified  by  being  set  going  in  the  service 
of  men,  which  is  the  service  of  Christ.  That  way  you 
multiply  yourself  for  Christ.  You  can  work  for  Him  here, 
and  your  representative  can  work  for  Him  in  Africa.  So 
you  are  doing  two  men's  work,  or  ten,  as  the  case  may  be. 
And  yet  the  other  man  get  the  joy  of  it,  too. 

One  Use  of  Giving. 

To  support  and  spread  the  gospel.  Why?  Our  giving 
helps  to  set  the  limits  of  the  work.  England  would  not  let 
France  control  Fashoda,  because  at  Fashoda  France  could 
control  the  overflow  of  the  Nile,  and  the  overflow  of  the 
Nile  sets  the  limit  to  the  fertility  of  Egypt.  If  we  stop 
giving,  the  work  of  the  Kingdom  will  stop  growing. 

Giving  is  a  vital  part  of  Christian  fellowship.  We  can 
not.be  truly  members  one  of  another  unless  we  share  with 
one  another  the  good  things  of  God.  If  Chinese  Christians, 
in  our  own  memory,  have  given  us  the  most  glorious  ex- 
amples of  Christian  martyrdom  since  the  da}rs  of  the  Roman 
emperors,  do  we  not  owe  the  survivors  the  opportunity  to 
win  to  Christ  more  people  capable  of  such  exalted  sac- 
rifice? 

Giving  is  the  one  material  outcome  of  all  your  prayer 
and  talk  and  study  for  the  work  of  the  Kingdom  outside 
your  own  parish.  It  is  good  to  be  concerned  for  the  sal- 
vation of  India,  but  always  the  question  arises — how  much 
do  you  measure  your  concern  in  giving?  If  you  can  give 
nothing  but  prayer,  your  prayer,  your  prayer  will  count. 
But  if  you  give  prayer  only  when  you  could  give  dollars 
also,  it  won't. 

Giving  is  the  one  purely  benevolent  means  of  grace. 
You  get  no  direct  return.  Church  support  brings  dividends 
in  the  way  of  sermons,  music,  warmth,  social  joys.  But 
real  giving  goes  where  no  return  is  expected.  That  is  the 
gospel  ideal.     "Give,  hoping  for  nothing  again." 

200 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

Another  Use  of  Giving. 

To  develop  the  Christian  life  and  character  of  the  giver; 
to  prove  that  it  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 
How? 

Giving  is  in  accord  with  the  great  unselfish  note  of  the 
gospel.  Jesus  Christ  came  to  a  world  which  had  failed 
because  it  was  self-centered.  He  set  out  to  save  it  by  the 
only  possible  remedy,  a  change  of  center !  Before  the  great 
word  was  "myself;"  now  it  is  "my  brother."  Giving  is  in 
harmony  with  that. 

Giving  saves  from  morbid  and  unwholesome  religious- 
ness. It  enlarges  our  circle  of  interest.  It  gives  us  some- 
thing better  to  do  than  the  counting  of  our  own  spiritual 
pulse  or  taking  our  own  religious  temperature.  It  puts 
us  out  among  God's  great  activities  of  salvation,  and  broad- 
ens our  sympathies. 

Giving  enlarges  our  ideal  of  the  Kingdom  and  strength- 
ens our  affection  for  it.  The  moment  you  give  for  home 
mission  work  in  the  great  city,  you  are  a  partner  in  that 
enterprise.  You  will  believe  in  work  among  the  colored 
people  of  the  South  if  you  give  enough  to  it.  One  secret 
of  Dr.  Pearson's  great  interest  in  small  colleges  is  that 
he  has  so  much  money  in  them. 

Giving  reveals  and  corrects  false  standards  of  success. 
It  makes  us  understand  that  success  is  not  in  what  gain 
comes  to  us,  but  in  what  gain  goes  out  from  us  to  others. 
It  develops  our  faith  in  the  blessedness  of  unrewarded 
service.  It  shoWs  us  that  there  is  more  glory  in  sacrifice 
than  in  any  other  sort  of  success.  It  makes  us  followers  in 
the  steps  of  Him  who  came,  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but 
to  minister. 

Bible  Motives  for  Giving. 

1.  Because  it  is  commanded. 

"Bring  ye  all  the  tithes,"  etc.     Mai.  3:  10. 

2.  Because  we  are  stewards. 

"It  is  required  in  stewards  that  a  man  be  found 
faithful."     1  Cor.  4:2. 

3.  Because  of  the  promise  of  present  good. 

"Give  and   it  shall   be  given   unto   you."      Luke 
6:  38. 

201 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

4.  Because  of  the  promise  of  future  reward. 

"Laying  up  in  store  for  themselves."  1  Tim. 
6:  17-19. 

5.  Because  of  the  happiness  it  brings. 

"It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 
Acts  20:35. 

6.  Because  giving  is  a  grace. 

"See  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also."  2  Cor. 
8:7. 

7.  Because  of   Christ's   example,   by   which   this   grace 
is  enforced. 

"Ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
that,  though  He  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  He 
became  poor."     2  Cor.  8:9. 

- — John  E.  Hunter. 

A  Statistical  Adventure. 
Somebody  with  a  gift  for  figures  might  work  out  in 
detail  a  study  of  what  your  Church's  income  would  be  if 
its  entire  membership  accepted  the  ideal  of  Christian  Stew- 
ardshijJ.  Make  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of  funds  that 
would  come  in,  comparing  the  total  with  what  comes  in 
under  the  present  system,  or  lack  of  it.  Show  in  detail 
what  could  be  done,  more  than  is  now  being  done,  with  the 
gifts  which  the  stewardship  ideal  would  bring  into  the 
treasury  of  the  Church.  Show  also  what  could  be  done 
by  individual  members  in  administering  some  of  their  stew- 
ardship outside  of  the  ordinary  channels  of  Church  benevo- 
lences. 

Searching  the  Scripture. 

Find  one  or-  more  passages  in  which  giving  is  required 
of  the  Christian. 

Where  does  the  Bible  say  that  we  Christians  are  stew- 
ards of  the  gifts  of  God? 

Is   there   any   distinct  promise  that   present   prosperity 
will  come  to  those  who  give  freely  to  the  work  of  God  ? 

What  promise  can  you  find  of  the  future  reward  to  the 
faithful  steward? 

How  does   the  Scripture  make  plain  the  happiness   of 
giving? 

202 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

Help  in  Finding  the  Tenth. 

An  advocate  of  the  tenth  was  asked  at  an  Epworth 
League  convention,  "How  can  I  tell  what  my  tithe  is,  when 
my  sources  of  income  and  my  necessary  expenses,  though 
small,  are  of  many  kinds  and  are  handled  in  many  ways?" 

To  which  he  made  answer:  "I  don't  know.  But  if 
John  D.  Rockefeller  were  to  promise  you  an  annual  gift 
of  ten  per  cent  of  your  total  income  from  all  sources,  on 
condition  that  you  submitted  an  accurate  statement  of  your 
financial  affairs,  would  n't  you  try  to  make  out  the  state- 
ment? And  surely  you  can  be  as  businesslike  in  planning 
to  give  to  the  Lord  as  in  preparing  to  get  from  Mr.  Rocke- 
feller." 

Obedience   and   Abundance. 
A  large  amount  of  suggestive  material  on  this  subject 
may  be  found  in  Dr.  John  W.  Duncan's  little  book,  "Our 
Christian   Stewardship."      It  first   states   the   general   sub- 
ject, then  traces  the  origin  and  history  of  tithing,  both  in 
the  records  of  other  ancient  nations  and  in  the  Bible.     A 
chapter  is  devoted  to  opinions  on  tithe-paying  by  eminent 
teachers,  beginning  with  Clement  of  Alexandria,  and  com- 
ing down  by  way  of  Chrysostum,  Augustine,  Ambrose,  and 
Pope  Innocent  III,  to  more  modern  times.     The  records  of 
Church  councils,  the  Magna  Charta,  and  the  history  of  the 
English  Church  are  drawn  upon  for  evidences  that  the  tithe 
was  an  institution  of  long  standing  and  general  recognition. 
A  subject  which  has  aroused  much  discussion  is  carefully 
treated  in  the  chapter  headed,  "To  whom  shall  the  tithe 
be  paid?"      The  practical   working  of   the   tithing   system, 
in  the  present  day  is  shown  by  reference  to  the  experiences 
of  individual  givers  and  to  the  records  of  Churches  which 
have  made  a  serious  effort  to  come  up  to  the  tithe  standard. 
Of  these,  Wesley  Chapel,  Cincinnati,  is  the  most  notable. 
Another  is  the  Church  at  Red  Key,  Ind.,  and  a  third  is  the 
First  Church  at  Riverside,  Cal.  '  Shelbyville,  Ind.,  is  the 
fourth  Church  example  of  the  prosperity,  both  material  and 
spiritual,  which  follows  the  acceptance  of  large  ideas  and 
ideals  concerning;  Christian  giving. 

203 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Three  Questions. 

How  can  we  give  to  God? 

He  has  no  needs.  But  as  the  picture  of  the  last  judg- 
ment shows,  the  least  of  these  have  needs,  and  God  through 
Jesus  Christ  identifies  Himself  with  them,  and  at  last  the 
word  will  be,  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  the  least 
of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  Me." 

What  should  be  the  projjortion  of  giving  to  the  support 
of  worship  and  of  giving  to  the  support  of  religious  work  ? 

Worship  must  be  sustained,  and  it  costs  money.  Chris- 
tian work  must  be  done,  and  that  costs  money.  But  there 
is  something  wrong  with  an  individual  or  a  Church  that 
spends  two  dollars  on  worship  to  every  one  that  is  spent  on 
work.  Worship  can  never  be  real  and  vital  unless  it  is 
closely  associated  with  and  inspires  a  lot  of  real  and  con- 
structive service.  It  is  a  mistake,  for  example,  for  a  Church 
to  pay  more  for  its  choir  than  it  does  for  the  sending  of 
the  gospel  to  the  whole  wide  world. 

Is  the  tenth  all  that  belongs  to  God? 

No,  not  by  nine-tenths.  It  all  belongs  to  God.  But 
the  tenth  is  a  convenient  starting  point ;  it  helps  to  fix  a 
plan  by  which  our  money  can  be  devoted  to  special  religious 
and  benevolent  uses.  It  is  more  than  convenient.  It  is 
historic,  and  it  is  Scriptural.  Those  who  reject  the  law  of 
the  tenth  as  being  out  of  harmony  with  the  law  of  Christian 
liberty  are  under  obligation  to  suggest  a  better  way.  And 
it  is  certain  that  the  better  way  they  may  suggest  will  not 
be  one  which  reduces  the  amount  the  average  individual 
ought  to  give. 

The  Reflex  Value  of  Stewardship. 

Giving  harmonizes  with  the  foundation  idea  of  Jesus 
Christ's  message,  that  the  great  curse  be  selfishness  and 
the  great  blessing  is  to  be  saved  from  selfishness. 

Stewardship  makes  the  business  of  the  Kingdom  of  God 
a  thing  of  interest  and  active  concern,  because  where  the 
treasure  is  the  heart  is  also. 

Stewardship  sets  up  the  right  ideal  of  the  victorious 
life.     We  come  to  personal  triumph,  not  by  what  we  get, 

20t 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

but  by  what  we  give.     We  learn  that  service  without  pay  is 
more  blessed  than  service  for  a  price. 

A  Suggestive  Program. 

This  program  should  be  studied  in  the  light  of  local 
conditions.  It  is  too  long  to  be  carried  out  in  full,  but  it 
is  made  long  on  purpose.  The  subtractions  made  from  it, 
and  other  changes,  will  vary  with  different  Chapters.  Do 
what  you  will  with  this  program,  but  at  all  costs  work  out  a 
definite  plan  for  the  meeting. 

Song  service.     (Ten  minutes,  or  less.) 

Prayers,  for  the  clearer  vision  of  duty  as  Christian 
Stewards,  for  strength  to  be  more  faithful  to  the  vision 
already  seen,  for  the  blessing  on  our  giving,  for  the  spread 
of  conviction  as  to  Christian  Stewardship  of  all  powers, 
possessions,  and  opportunities. 

Scripture  lesson.  Matt.  6:  19-34;  Acts  20:35;  2  Cor. 
0:7;  John  3:  17,  18. 

The  leader  speaks :  "The  great  reasons  for  Christian 
Stewardship." 

Bible  reading  on  one  or  more  of  these  topics : 

1.  The  obligation  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (Mark 
12:  14-17;  Deut.  14:  28,  29;  Prov.  3:  0;  2  Cor.  8:  7;  1  Cor. 
4:1,  2;  Titus   1:7;   1   Peter  4:10.) 

2.  The  motive  of  giving.  (Luke  21:  1-4;  Lev.  23:  10, 
11;  2  Cor.   8:7;  2  Cor.   8:1-3;  Matt.   25:40.) 

3.  The  method  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (1  Cor.  16: 
1,  2;  2  Cor.  9:6,  7.) 

4.  The  withholding  that  tendeth  to  poverty.  (Luke 
12:  16-21;  Mai.  3:8;  Luke  11:42;  Mai.  1:8.) 

5.  The  rewards  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (Mai.  3: 
10;  Prov.   11:25;  2  Cor.  8:12.) 

The  pastor  speaks:  "Christian  Stewardship  in  getting 
and  using." 

A  member  speaks:  "Right  and  wrong  motives  for  giv- 
ing." 

Another  member  speaks:     "The  significance  of  giving." 

Some  members  testify:  "The  personal  gains  of  Chris- 
tian Stewardship." 

205 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAX. 

Other  members  testify:  "My  method  of  keeping  my 
Christian  Stewardship  account." 

The  leader  sums  up,  and  presents  the  Christian  Stew- 
ardship Enrollment,  and  announces  the  organization  of  a 
study  class  in  the  subject. 

The  League  benediction,  or  this:  "Lay  up  for  your- 
selves treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust 
doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor 
steal;  for  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be 
also." 

The  acceptance  of  Christian  Stewardship  is  not  a  thing 
to  be  treated  impulsively.  It  should  be  pervaded  with 
prayer.  The  individual  League  member  should  not  assume 
such  a  financial  obligation  until  he  has  obtained  light  upon 
his  duty  from  the  highest  source.  The  Woman's  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  and  the  Woman's  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety publish  some  admirable  literature  on  giving.  The 
material  prepared  under  the  direction  of  the  Commission 
on  Finance,  after  the  General  Conference  of  1912,  is  par- 
ticularly effective.  It  can  be  had  from  the  Department  of 
Missionary  Education,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 

A  Suggestive  Christian  Stewardship  Program. 

This  program  should  be  studied  in  the  light  of  local 
conditions.  It  is  too  long  to  be  carried  out  in  full,  but  it 
is  made  long  on  purpose.  The  subtractions  made  from  it, 
and  other  changes,  will  vary  with  different  Chapters.  Do 
what  you  will  with  this  program,  but  at  all  costs  work  out 
a  definite  plan   for  the  meeting. 

Song  service.     (Ten  minutes  or  less.) 

Prayers,  for  the  clearer  vision  of  duty  as  Christian 
Stewards,  for  strength  to  be  more  faithful  to  the  vision 
already  seen,  for  the  blessing  on  our  giving,  for  the  spread 
of  conviction  as  to  Christian  Stewardship  of  all  powers, 
possessions,  and  opportunities. 

Scripture  lesson.  Matt.  6:19-34;  Acts  20:35;  2  Cor. 
9:7;  John  3:  17,  18. 

The  leader  speaks:  "The  great  reasons  for  Christian 
Stewardship." 

Bible  reading  on  one  or  more  of  these  topics: 
206 


THE  LEAGUE'S  WORLD  INTERESTS. 

1.  The  obligation  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (Mark 
12:  14-17;  Deut.  14:28,  29;  Prov.  3:9;  2  Cor.  8:7;  1  Cor. 
4:  1,  2;  Titus  1:7;  1  Peter  4:  10.) 

2.  The  motive  of  giving.  (Luke  21:1-4;  Lev.  23: 
10,  11;  2  Cor.  8:7;  2  Cor.  8:1-3;  Matt.  25:40.) 

3.  The  method  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (1  Cor.  16: 
1,  2;  2  Cor.  J):  0,  7.) 

4.  The  withholding  that  tendeth  to  poverty.  (Luke 
12:16-21;   Mai.   3:8;   Luke   11:42;   Mai.    1:8.) 

5.  The  rewards  of  Christian  Stewardship.  (Mai.  3: 
10;  Prov.   11:25;  2  Cor.  8:12.) 

The  pastor  speaks :  "Christian  Stewardship  in  getting 
and  using.'' 

A  member  speaks:  "Right  and  wrong  motives  for  giv- 
ing." 

Another  member  speaks:     "The  significance  of  giving." 

Some  members  testify:  "The  personal  gains  of  Chris- 
tian Stewardship." 

Other  members  testify:  "My  method  of  keeping  ray 
Christian  Stewardship  account." 

The  leader  sums  up  and  presents  the  Christian  Stew- 
ardship Enrollment,  or  announces  the  organization  of  a 
study  class  in  the  subject,  or  does  both. 

The  League  benediction,  or  this:  "Lay  up  for  your- 
selves treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth 
corrupt,  and  where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal ; 
for  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also." 


207 


CHAPTER  IX 

SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Why  Social  Service  in  the  Church? 
Time    was    when    social    service    was    nowhere   else.      The 
Church  had  a  monopoly  of  it.     The  convents  and  abbeys 
and  monasteries  were  the  centers  of  a  great,  even  if  un- 
scientific, ministry  to  the  bodily  needs  of  the  community. 

But  that  monopoly,  happily,  is  ended.  We  know  now 
that  the  Church  is  not  the  only  institution  with  a  mission 
to  society. 

Any  American  charities'  directory  reveals  hundreds  of 
agencies  fighting  against  poverty,  disease,  ignorance,  vice, 
greed,  and  most  of  them  are  not  organized  as  departments 
of  Church  work  at  all.  Many  millions  of  dollars  a  year 
are  spent  in  this  country  on  the  many  forms  of  social 
service — remedial,  preventive,  constructive — outside  of  all 
that  the  Church  in  any  official  way  spends  at  this  business. 

But  all  this  growing  passion  for  social  service  is  trace- 
able to  one  source.  It  is  a  Christian  thing.  It  has  the 
stamp  of  Christ's  teaching  and  influence  on  it  in  every 
feature.  To  the  last  fragment  it  is  a  modern  commentary 
on  what  Jesus  told  His  disciples  they  must  do  if  they 
would  be  His  disciples. 

We  need  not  be  sorry  that  so  much  of  this  work  is  now 
done  outside  the  Church.  The  Church  can  well  afford  to 
give  large  recognition  to  every  other  agency  of  help  and 
healing,  and  there  is  work  enough  for  all. 

But  we  ought  to  remember  that  the  people  who  did  this 
work  are,  for  the  most  part,  Christians.  We  ought  to  re- 
member that  the  Church  taught  the  world  the  secret  that 
makes  it  all  worth  doing.  We  ought  to  remember  that  if 
the  Church  were  to  cease  its  insistence  on  the  needs  of  the 
spirit  in  man  all  this  social  reclamation  work  would  begin 
to  be  useless  and  would  shortly  dry  up  and  disappear. 

208 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Remembering  all  that,  the  Church  must  more  than  ever 
give  itself  to  social  service.  This  is  no  time,  when  the 
world  has  accepted  the  Church's  gospel  of  brotherhood, 
for  the  Church  to  speak  uncertainly  about  it,  or  to  weaken 
in  the  practice  of  it. 

All  of  which  is  submitted  as  a  group  of  reasons  why 
every  Epworth  League  Chapter  should  magnify  its  De- 
partment of  Social  Service  and  adopt  a  constructive,  posi- 
tive, definite  program.  Our  young  people  must  get  the 
vision  and  get  ready  for  the  task  which  is  the  Church's 
"other"   business. 

A  Chapter  in  Cleveland,  studying  the  course  laid  out 
by  Dr.  N.  W.  Stroup,  invited  an  Italian  to  speak  at  the 
meeting.  Then  the  Epworthians  discovered  a  group  of 
Italians  living  near  the  church,  and  are  trying  to  enter  into 
their  lives.     That  's  social  service ! 

The  Social  Service  Vice-President  who  permits  herself 
to  raise  the  funds  for  her  department's  work  will  marry 
a  man  who  will  permit  her  to  chop  the  wood  for  her  cook- 
stove. 

The  Chapter  which  will  overlook  an  opportunity  for 
service  more  than  once  needs  a  new  set  of  eyes — or  leaders. 

The  New  Third  Department  and  Its  Meaning. 

In  1903  the  Board  of  Control  felt  that  the  Epworth 
League  must  see  the  farthest  man,  and  it  created  the  De- 
partment of  World  Evangelism. 

In  1913  it  felt  that  the  Epworth  League  must  see  the 
nearest  man,  and  it  created  the  Department  of  Social 
Service. 

There   was    missionary    work   in   the    Epworth    League* 
before  the  Board  of  Control  made  a  missionary  department. 
In   simple    truth,   it    was    the    missionary    work    which    the 
League  in  some  places  had  proved   itself  able  to  do  that 
compelled  the  new  department. 

And  in  like  manner  the  League  did  not  wait  for  the 
Board  to  make  a  new  department  before  showing  itself 
capable  of  social  service.  In  hundreds  of  places  the  young 
people  were  busy  with  all  manner  of  community  useful- 
ness before  1913. 

14  209 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

But  the  time  had  come  to  call  for  an  advance  all  along 
the  line.  Every  Chapter,  instead  of  one  here  and  there, 
ought  to  be  moving  itself  toward  the  study  and  practice 
of  social  service. 

We  had  not  outgrown  Mercy  and  Help,  but  Mercy  and 
Help  work  had  forced  us  to  broaden  and  deepen  our  con- 
ception of  what  was  expected  of  young  Christians  in  their 
relation  to  their  fellows. 

Mercy  and  Help  had  much  to  do  with  kindling  the  new 
spirit  of  service  which  burns  in  the  deaconess  work,  in  the 
Church's  hospital  enterprises,  and  other  forms  of  ministry. 
Social  Service  is  merely  Mercy  and  Help  made  positive 
and  preventive,  instead  of  being  confined  to  the  patching  up 
of  broken  earthenware. 

"Social  Service"  is  in  itself  only  a  phrase,  but  it  is  the 
handiest  that  offers.  It  has  been  defined  as  "the  applica- 
tion of  Christian  principles  to  social  life  and  the  realisation 
of  the  Christian  ideal  in  human  society." 

What  forms  should  it  take?  Why  should  we  of  the 
League  lay  hold  of  it  as  one  of  our  four  chief  tasks? 

These  questions  have  many  answers.  To  the  second,  the 
chief  answer  is  that  Christianity  is  a  religion  which  must 
serve  the  community  as  well  as  the  individual.  The  more 
real  and  gripping  our  religion  becomes  to  us,  the  more 
social  service  we  shall  want  to  do.  Half  of  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments are  "Thou  shalt  nots"  directed  against  social 
sins,  and  half  of  the  Eleventh  Commandment  is  a  "Thou 
shalt"  which  requires  social  service. 

The  forms  of  social  service  to  be  operated  by  the  Third 
Department  will  vary,  just  as  the  forms  of  Mercy  and  Help 
have  varied. 

The  new  department  is  greatly  needed  everywhere. 
The  Chapter  which  really  takes  hold  of  the  work  now  made 
more  accessible  will  enlarge  its  usefulness  once  and  yet 
again. 

Social  Service — What  Is  It? 

Social  service  is  that  form  of  effort  for  man's  better- 
ment which  seeks  to  uplift  and  transform  his  associated 
and  community  life. 

210 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

There  are  also  some  forms  of  service  to  the  social  needs 
of  the  individual  which  may  properly  be  called  social  serv- 
ice. Social  service  adds  to  the  effort  to  help  the  individual 
lives  of  people,  the  effort  to  establish  proper  conditions  for 
the  development  of  those  lives.  It  adds  to  the  relief  of  the 
poor  and  the  sick  and  the  prisoner  the  effort  to  discover 
and  remove  the  causes  of  poverty  and  disease  and  crime. 

Its  goal  is  social  salvation,  "the  deliverance  of  human 
society  from  disease,  poverty,  crime,  and  misery;  the  de- 
velopment and  perfection  of  the  institutions  of  man's  asso- 
ciated life,  and  the  construction  of  a  social  order  that  is  the 
city  of  God  on  earth." 

HISTORICAL. 

The  social  service  movement  is  no  new  thing  in  organ- 
ized Christianity.  The  fires  of  Pentecost  kindled  a  mighty 
passion  to  help  all  human  need  that  soon  resulted  in  organ- 
ized service.  The  first  Christians  met  by  common  action 
every  need  of  their  group,  and  the  organized  ministrations 
of  the  early  Church  to  the  needs  of  the  age  was  the  marvel 
of  Roman  historians. 

In  the  ministry  of  Jesus,  much  time  was  devoted  to 
doing  good  and  to  the  relief  of  suffering.  His  opening 
proclamation  announces  a  mission  to  the  needs  of  neglected 
individuals  and  groups — the  poor,  the  captives,  the  blind, 
the  bruised.  His  standard  of  judgment  is  that  of  service 
to  the  sick,  the  poor,  the  prisoner.  His  thought  of  religion 
is  social;  it  is  the  Kingdom,  the  Fatherhood,  the  brother- 
hood. 

Here  Jesus  fulfilled  the  law  and  the  prophets.  He 
was  the  successor  of  those  men  who  revealed  God  in  terms 
of  justice  andt  righteousness  in  the  community  life,  who 
denounced  the  injustice  and  oppression  of  the  rich,  who 
sought  to  build  a  community  life  with  God  all  through  it. 

Every  great  awakening  in  the  Church  has  emphasized 
the  social  nature  of  Christianity  by  its  results  in  social 
service.  Our  modern  program  of  philanthropy  and  of 
social  and  labor  legislation  was  started  in  the  Evangelical 
Revival. 

211 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAX. 

The  great  missionary  awakening  of  the  last  generation 
developed  city  evangelism,  the  settlement  and  the  institu- 
tional Church.  The  attempt  to  minister  to  the  whole  life 
of  the  people  of  the  slums  developed  into  the  wider  pro- 
gram of  removing  those  social  and  industrial  conditions 
which  are  behind  the  slum  and  its  imperfect  lives. 

Then  the  present  social  service  movement  in  the 
Churches  was  organized  with  thirty  denominations  joining 
together  through  the  Federated  Council,  behind  a  common 
Social  Creed,  and  with  organized  agencies  in  the  leading- 
denominations  co-operating  with  other  social  service  agen- 
cies to  develop  plans  and  secure  the  measures  that  will 
carry  out  this  creed. 

This  means  that  every  Church  will  be  a  socialized 
Church,  developing  a  ministry  to  its  community  as  well 
as  to  the  individuals  around  it,  concerned  with  poverty  and 
disease  and  delinquency,  with  civic  and  industrial  condi- 
tions. In  this  socialized  Church  every  department  must 
have  a  social  service  program. 

What  shall  be  the  part  and  place  of  the  Epworth 
League? 

SOCIAL    STUDY. 

Service  to  be  successful  must  be  intelligent.  To  be  in- 
telligent it  must  be  based  upon  a  knowledge  of  accepted 
principles  and  methods.  The  Central  Office  has  arranged 
for  a  study  course  on  Social  Service.  The  first  year's  work 
is  a  study  of  the  Social  Creed  of  the  Churches,  its  mean- 
ing, and  the  measures  that  will  carry  it  out.  If  it  is  desired 
to  make  a  special  study  of  any  one  particular  subject,  a 
selected  list  of  books  on  that  subject  will  be  supplied  by 
the  Methodist  Federation  for  Social  Service. 

Many  young  people  who  can  not  be  induced  to  join  a 
study  class  may  yet  be  enlisted  in  a  reading  course,  espe- 
cially if  those  who  are  reading  the  books  in  the  course  are 
gathered  together  occasionally  for  a  social  hour  and  for 
discussion. 

Every  Chapter  should  have  its  own  social  service  library, 
so  that  the  books  may  be  passed  around  freely.  A  list  of 
books  can  be  supplied  which  can  not  fail  to  catch  and  hold 

212 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

the  interest  of  young  people,  because  they  deal  with  typical 
American  conditions  from  an  intimate,  personal  standpoint. 

To  supplement  this  group  and  class  study,  a  course  of 
five  or  six  addresses  can  be  arranged  for  the  Sunday  even- 
ing devotional  service,  these  addresses  to  deal  with  various 
aspects  of  social  service.  The  Methodist  Federation  for 
Social  Service  can  supply  a  list  of  speakers  in  almost  every 
State  who  are  available  for  such  addresses. 

Another  popular  form  of  education  which  can  be  made 
use  of  is  the  Open  Forum  for  the  presentation  of  com- 
munity issues.  At  this  meeting,  representatives  of  various 
groups  in  the  community  may  be  heard  at  first  hand,  and 
the  question-and-answer  form  of  communication  may  be 
used  to  establish  a  closer  sympathy  between  speaker  and 
audience. 

COMMUNITY   STUDY. 

Any  program  of  social  service  for  the  individual  or  the 
group  must  be  based  upon  the  needs  of  the  local  com- 
munity. Therefore,  these  must  be  discovered.  The  only 
way  to  discover  them  is  to  make  a  study  of  local  conditions, 
which  will  outline  the  field  of  needed  activity. 

Before  any  work  is  attempted,  the  Chapter  must  know 
also  what  agencies  are  already  at  work  to  meet  the  needs 
of  the  community  and  how  they  are  doing  it,  in  order  that 
its  efforts  may  not  duplicate  the  work  of  other  societies,  but 
supplement  it. 

A  chart  can  be  made  and  placed  on  the  wall  of  the 
church  showing  the  agencies  which  will  help  in  caring  for 
poverty,  sickness,  or  delinquency,  or  in  meeting  any  civic 
or  social  emergency. 

It  is  not  advisable  or  even  possible  for  the  Epworth 
League  to  make  a  thorough  study  of  the  whole  community, 
especially  in  the  larger  centers.  In  a  community  of  ten 
thousand  and  under,  however,  it  may  be  possible  to  get  a 
good  general  view  of  conditions;  but  even  in  this  case  the 
effort  should  be  confined  to  the  things  in  which  young 
people  are  naturally  interested.  This  will  limit  the  study 
and  activity  and  concentrate  the  effort  on  a  few  things. 

Any  Chapter  may  well  limit  itself  to  discovering  and 
improving  the  conditions  of  life   for  the  young  people  of 

213 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  community.  This  will  include  conditions  of  social  life 
and  recreation,  conditions  of  education,  conditions  of  health 
and  housing,  and  of  occupation. 

The  following  schedule  of  questions  will  give  assistance 
to  the  Chapter  in  studying  its  own  community: 

WHAT    EVERY    CHAPTER    SHOULD    KNOW    ABOUT    ITS    OWN 
COMMUNITY. 

Poverty  and  Delinquency. — What  charitable  agencies  ex- 
ist? Their  general  efficiency?  Any  co-operation  between 
them  ? 

Approximate  amount  spent  for  relief  in  one  year,  and 
number  of  cases  helped. 

What  relief  work  is  done  by  Churches?  Is  there  co- 
operation between  the  different  departments  of  the  indi- 
vidual Church?  With  other  Churches?  With  other  chari- 
table agencies  ? 

What  city,  county,  or  State  provision  for  relief  of  pov- 
erty or  sickness  is  there  in  the  community?  Does  anybody 
inspect  these  institutions  for  efficiency? 

Social  Life  and  Recreation. — What  organized  recreation 
is  provided?     In  schools,  Churches,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  etc.? 

What  amusements  are  operated  for  private  profit  ?  Gen- 
eral character?     Any  that  are  flagrantly  vicious? 

What  educational  facilities  are  there  for  young  people 
who  wish  to  continue  their  education  while  working?  Night 
schools?  Special  classes  in  Y.  M.  C.  A.  and  Y.  W.  C.  A.? 
Lecture  courses?     Are  these  facilities  efficient? 

Health  and  Housing. — Death  rate?  Infant  mortality? 
Compared  with  neighboring  communities? 

Does  the  Health  Department  control  contagious  dis- 
eases ?  Does  it  educate  the  community  to  measures  of  pre- 
vention ? 

Is  there  any  section  of  the  town  living  in  unsanitary  or 
congested  houses? 

What  laws  relating  to  such  conditions,  and  how  en- 
forced ? 

Labor. — Flow  many  young  people  over  sixteen  are  wage- 
earners  in  the  community?  (How  many,  if  any,  under 
sixteen?)      Where  do  they  work?     How  many  work  more 

214 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

than  ten  hours?  More  than  nine  hours?  Eight  hours? 
How  many  on  Sunday?     How  many  girls  working  nights? 

What  are  the  wages  of  the  lowest  paid  group  ?  Young 
men?  Young  women?  Is  there  a  Minimum  Wage  law 
in  the  State,  and  is  it  enforced?  Average  wage  in  the 
various  industries  in  the  community?  How  does  it  com- 
pare with  the  cost  of  living  in  that  place? 

What  are  the  conditions  of  health  in  the  community's 
industries  ?  What  labor  laws  in  the  State  ?  Do  they  pro- 
tect the  worker,  and  to  what  extent?  Is  there  a  system  of 
factory  inspection,  and  is  it  enforced? 

What  is  done  to  help  young  people  find  employment? 

Government. — What  form  of  government?  Who  are  the 
officers  ?  What  are  their  functions  and  what  power  have 
they?     What  are  the  forces  that  really  control? 

What  departments  of  the  local  government  most  vitally 
affect  the  welfare  of  the  community? 

What  co-operation  is  there  between  the  Church  group 
and  these  departments? 

HOW    TO    BEGIN. 

A  good  way  to  begin  is  for  the  Social  Service  Depart- 
ment to  make  a  general  study  of  the  community  according 
to  this  schedule,  modifying  the  schedule  to  fit  local  needs, 
and  striking  out  such  questions  as  are  not  applicable. 

This  information  should  then  be  classified  and  worked 
up  in  the  form  of  charts,  so  that  it  may  be  presented  to 
the  whole  Chapter  in  graphic  fashion.  The  stereopticon 
can  be  used  to  good  advantage  in  this  part  of  the  work. 

From  this  general  study  the  members  may  select  that 
particular  condition  which  appears  to  call  for  the  most 
urgent  action.  When  this  has  been  done,  a  more  detailed 
study  of  that  condition  should  be  made  before  anything 
is  done  to  meet  the  need. 

The  Methodist  Federation  for  Social  Service  can  give 
assistance  and  suggestions  in  the  work  of  classifying  the 
information  and  preparing  the  charts,  and  can  furnish 
schedules  for  the  more  detailed  study  of  the  field  selected 
for  action. 

215 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

In  the  case  of  city  Chapters,  the  district  should  be 
defined,  and  other  young  people's  groups  should,  if  possible, 
be  enlisted  in  the  effort. 

MAKING  THE  MERCY  AND  HELP  WORK  CONSTRUCTIVE. 

Relief  Work. — The  practical  work  of  the  Epworth 
League  can  not  be  called  social  service  until  it  becomes 
constructive  and  preventive,  as  well  as  palliative.  Social 
service  is  not  content  to  relieve,  without  at  the  same  time 
investigating  the  causes  of  distress  and  seeking  to  remove 
them. 

The  very  first  principle  of  relief  work  is  co-operation. 
Co-operation  within  the  Church  itself,  seeing  that  one  or- 
ganization does  not  duplicate  the  work  of  another;  co-opera- 
tion with  other  Churches  of  the  same  denominations,  and 
co-operation  with  agencies  outside  the  Church,  especially 
with  the  organized  charities  of  the  community. 

The  second  principle  is  quite  as  important:  There 
should  be  continuity  of  service.  Spasmodic  help  will  not 
only  do  little  good,  but  may  work  harm.  Whatever  work 
may  be  selected,  it  should  not  be  dropped  until  it  has  been 
carried  through  to  completion  and  there  is  no  further  need 
of  it.  It  is  much  better  to  select  a  permanent  problem  and 
give  attention  to  that,  than  to  attempt  many  different  pieces 
of  work,  doing  only  a  little  of  each.  For  instance,  if  a 
family  is  given  help,  it  should  be  helped  continuously  until 
the  members  are  able  to  care  for  themselves ;  not  given  a 
basket  at  Thanksgiving  or  Christmas  time,  and  left  to  itself 
the  remainder  of  the  year. 

Nearly  every  Chapter  has  among  its  members  one  or 
more  young  women  who  are  able  to  give  a  good  deal  of 
time  to  visitation  and  other  relief  work.  These  should 
be  trained  as  friendly  visitors  in  the  community,  so  that 
their  services  may  be  guided  and  directed  in  such  a  way  as 
will  make  it  doubly  valuable.  The  local  charity  organiza- 
tion will  accept  such  volunteer  help  and  give  the  desired 
training. 

If  there  is  no  local  organization,  the  young  women  may 
study  ^'Friendly  Visiting  Among  the  Poor,"  by  Mary  E. 
Richmond,  and  "The  Charity  Visitor,"   by  Amelia  Sears; 

216 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

these  will  give  valuable  help.  "How  to  Help,"  by  Mary 
Coyngton,  is  valuable. 

Work  for  the  Sick. — Where  there  is  a  hospital  in  the 
community,  many  small  services  may  be  performed  for  the 
patients,  especially  for  those  in  the  free  wards.  Reading 
matter  may  be  provided,  and  some  one  assigned  to  read 
aloud  a  certain  amount  of  time  each  week.  Letters  may 
be  written ;  often  in  the  convalescent  wards  a  program  of 
music  and  readings  will  be  appreciated. 

If  there  are  dispensaries,  social  service  work  may  be 
carried  on  by  a  system  of  following  up  the  patients  to  see 
that  the  physician's  orders  are  carried  out,  and  that  the 
patients  are  provided  with  the  means  of  procuring  what  is 
prescribed,  and  to  improve  the  home  conditions  so  that 
further  illness  may  be  prevented. 

Rural  Chapters  may  provide  fruit  and  flowers  for  the 
sick  in  the  city  by  co-operating  with  the  city  Chapters. 
Express  companies  will  usually  carry  such  gifts  free  of 
charge. 

Work  for  the  sick,  if  the  Mercy  and  Help  Department 
is  to  be  made  a  genuine  social  service  agency,  must  not 
end  with  relief.  It  must  be  extended  until  it  looks  also 
to  the  prevention  of  illness  and  to  the  aggressive  advo- 
cating of  public  health  measures. 

The  local  Health  Department  will  be  glad  of  volunteer 
help  in  spreading  knowledge  concerning  its  plans  for  sani- 
tation and  the  proper  care  of  disease,  in  reporting  viola- 
tions of  health  laws,  in  distributing  literature  dealing  witli 
public  health,  in  its'  efforts  to  eliminate  improper  housing 
conditions,  and  in  the  effort  to  enforce  the  health  laws  of 
the  community. 

The  Chicago  Health  Department  is  now  issuing  cer- 
tificates to  moving  picture  theaters  which  have  good  ventila- 
tion, and  calling  upon  the  public  to  patronize  only  those 
having  such  certificates.  This  plan  may  be  followed  in 
any  place  and  may  be  applied  to  all  buildings  used  for 
public  gatherings,  including  churches. 

Aiding  the  Prisoner. — Reading  matter  may  be  distrib- 
uted in  the  jails,  and  if  this  service  is  attempted  it  should 
be  systematic   and   continuous.      And   such   reading   matter 

217 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

should  be  fresli  and  interesting.     Out  of  date  Church  papers 
will  not  interest  the  people  usually  found  in  jails. 

Find  out  whether  the  prisoners  are  given  employment. 
If  they  are  not,  insist  that  they  be  given  something  to  do 
for  a  reasonable  number  of  hours  six  days  in  the  week. 
Interest  the  judges  and  legal  officials  in  helping  to  secure 
modern  equipment  and  modern  methods  of  handling  pris- 
oners. 

SOCIALIZING    THE    SOCIAL    DEPARTMENT. 

In  every  community  there  are  groups  of  young  people 
who  are  not  touched  or  brought  into  contact  in  any  way 
with  the  young  people  in  the  Church  societies.  Every 
Chapter  should  make  an  effort  to  get  into  contact  with 
these. 

Homeless  Young  People. — Take,  for  instance,  that  in- 
creasing number  of  young  men  and  women  in  the  cities 
who  are  away  from  home,  without  the  restraints  of  their 
former  environment,  and  without  proper  social  life  in  their 
new  surroundings. 

Practical  help  may  take  the  form  of  finding  proper 
boarding  places,  and  getting  these  homeless  ones  invited 
into  Christian  homes  to  spend  Sunday,  so  that  they  may 
have  a  touch  of  home  life.  The  social  hour  after  Church, 
at  which  light  refreshments  are  served,  has  been  used  as 
a  weapon  against  the  loneliness  and  dangers  of  that  hour. 

Young  People  from  Abroad. — Then,  there  are  the  im- 
migrant young  men  and  women.  If  America  is  to  care  for 
the  new  peoples  who  are  drawn  in  such  numbers  by  the 
promise  of  greater  liberty,  it  will  be  only  as  the  American 
young  people,  and  especially  those  of  the  Churches,  see 
in  these  groups  an  opportunity  for  splendid  service. 

Race  suspicion  and  prejudice  will  never  be  disarmed 
until  the  young  people  meet  face  to  face  and  find  out  for 
themselves  the  essential  unity  of  the  race. 

Classes  in  English  and  Civics  afford  a  good  oppor- 
tunity of  getting  acquainted.  There  are  now  a  number 
of  books  designed  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  foreigners 
in  simple,  untechnical  language,  so  that  any  ordinarily  well- 
educated   Epworthian  may  successfully  lead  such  a  class. 

218 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

The  Methodist  Federation  for  Social  Service  can  furnish 
a  list  of  such  hooks. 

The  Nation  Social,  in  which  the  various  groups  of  for- 
eigners furnish  the  entertainment  by  appearing  in  native 
costumes  and  giving  exhibitions  of  the  manners  and  cus- 
toms of  their  own  countries,  is  another  excellent  means 
of  getting  acquainted.  In  the  cities  where  these  foreign 
groups  have  their  own  editors,  singers,  and  other  leaders, 
these  will  usually  gladly  aid  in  an  enterprise  of  this  kind. 

Devise  your  own  methods  for  extending  the  circle  of 
friendship  outside  the  Church  group.  The  essential  thing 
is  to  come  into  vital  contact  with  the  young  people  of  other 
nationalities  in  the  community,  for  this  will  open  the  way 
to  larger  forms  of  service  to  the  immigrant  group. 

Recreation  for  All. — Has  your  Chapter  a  consistent  and 
persistent  program  of  recreation,  or  does  it  merely  give  a 
"social"  occasionally?  A  well-planned  program,  covering 
the  half-year  season,  will  yield  far  more  satisfactory  re- 
sults than  a  haphazard  effort  to  furnish  recreation.  The 
plans  should  be  extended  to  include  every  possible  group 
in  the  community.  The  fall  season  may  begin  with  in- 
formal "welcome"  receptions  to  the  various  groups  who 
have  been  away  for  the  summer — teachers,  students,  etc. — 
and  the  program  for  this  period  may  take  many  forms,  such 
as  musical  and  literary  evenings. 

Education,  especially  in  the  city,  may  be  combined 
with  recreation  by  making  visits  in  groups  to  various  places 
of  interest  in  the  city.  This  is  a  particularly  good  plan 
in  the  summer,  on  Saturday  afternoons,  when  the  trip  may 
end  with  a  picnic  or  social   of  some  kind  out-of-doors. 

The  Rural  Chapter. — The  rural  Chapter  has  quite  as 
many  advantages  as  the  city  Chapter  when  it  comes  to  plan- 
ning for  organized  recreation.  Here,  as  in  the  city,  there 
may  be  musical  evenings,  debates,  moving  pictures,  and 
athletics  for  the  winter  season ;  in  addition,  the  rural  Chap- 
ter may  plan  in  the  summer  for  such  events  as  the  com- 
munity fair,  patterned  after  the  county  fair  idea,  giving 
prizes  for  the  best  flowers,  fruits,  samples  of  cooking,  hand- 
work, etc.,  and  worked  up  by  the  young  people  themselves. 

Combining  education  and  recreation  is  easy  in  the  coun- 
219 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

try  community,  for  there  are  less  attractions  than  in  the 
city,  and  such  events  when  planned  are  more  likely  to  suc- 
ceed. The  State  university  and  the  agricultural  schools 
will  usually  co-operate  in  furnishing  lectures  on  various 
subjects. 

The  pageant  and  the  festival  for  National  holidays  or 
other  times  can  be  used  b}^  both  city  and  country  Chapter, 
but  the  country  Chapter  will  have  some  advantage  over  the 
city  group. 

City  and  rural  Chapters  may  work  together  in  plan- 
ning for  fresh-air  and  summer  vacation  work.  The  district 
may  be  organized,  and  a  list  of  the  farm  houses  secured 
where  young  people  from  the  city  will  be  taken  for  short 
periods  at  moderate  rates.  The  city  Chapter  may  furnish 
the  names  of  young  people  who  would  be  benefited  by  a 
vacation  on  a  farm,  but  who  can  not  afford  summer  resort 
prices. 

Another  plan  which  can  be  worked  to  advantage  is  for 
the  rural  Chapters  to  organize  summer  camps  by  furnish- 
ing the  place  and  the  equipment  for  the  camp.  The  city 
group  may  pay  the  running  expenses  by  appointing  a  club 
to  handle  this  part  of  it,  making  the  rates  cover  the  operat- 
ing expenses  of  the  venture. 

The  good  accomplished  does  not  stop  with  the  indi- 
viduals benefited ;  it  will  establish  as  well  a  working  ac- 
quaintanceship between  city  and  rural  Chapters,  which  is 
sure  to  result  in  further  successful  ventures  together. 

Organized  recreation,  by  means  of  these  and  other 
methods,  is  taking  an  increasingly  large  place  in  the  work 
of  the  Epworth  League.  But  as  the  society  continues  to 
develop  plans  for  the  recreation  of  its  own  members  and 
as  many  others  as  it  can  reach,  it  will  discover  that  the 
combined  efforts  of  all  the  young  people,  and  of  all  the 
older  people  even,  can  not  reach  all  the  individuals  in  the 
community.  There  will  be  groups,  especially  in  the  larger 
centers,  that  remain  untouched. 

How  is  the  Chapter  to  help  here?  It  will  first  reveal 
the  need  of  community  recreation  by  lectures,  by  pictures, 
by  charts,  by  contact  with  conditions ;  then  it  will  work 
for  the  broader  program  of  community  recreation  by  means 

220 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

of  public  parks,  playgrounds,  and  social  centers,  all  prop- 
erly supervised  and  directed,  in  the  meantime  doing  its 
full  share  of  the  work  of  supplying  wholesome  fun  for  as 
many  of  the  community  as  it  can  reach. 

In  this,  the  American  Playground  Association,  1  Madi- 
son Avenue,  New  York  City,  will  give  helpful  suggestions, 
as  will  also,  the  Extension  Department  of  the  University 
at  Madison,  Wis.  On  the  use  of  school  buildings  as  social 
centers,  E.  J.  Ward's  book,  "Social  Centers,"  will  be  found 
illuminating. 

Recreation  and  Social  Purity. — No  Chapter  will  be 
content  to  provide  wholesome  amusement  without  the  effort 
to  prevent  improper  types.  And  the  prevention  of  im- 
proper recreation  will  lead  to  the  problem  of  organized 
vice,  for  the  two  are  inseparable.  The  public  dance-hails, 
the  amusement  parks,  and  the  excursion  steamers  are  re- 
cruiting  stations    for   the   dealers   in   commercialized   vice. 

The  first  step  in  prevention  is  to  understand  that  a 
segregated  district  in  any  community  is  unnecessary,  that 
it  remains  only  because  of  the  consent  of  the  community. 
It  can  not  be  too  emphatically  stated  that  segregation  as  z 
policy  is  no  longer  considered  necessary,   or   even   sound. 

This  stand  is  taken  not  only  by  the  religious  forces,  but 
social  workers  and  progressive  thinkers  the  country  over. 
This  distinctly  new  attitude  is  the  result  of  the  scientific 
investigations  made  within  the  last  few  years  by  specially 
selected  commissions  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

If  there  is  a  segregated  district  in  your  community, 
why  should  it  continue  to  exist?  If  it  continues  it  means 
assuredly  that  some  girls  and  boys  must  be  sacrificed.  The 
young  people  of  the  community  should  be  interested  to  see 
that  no  girls  or  boys  are  drawn  into  that  life. 

The  second  step  is  education  in  personal  standards. 
Commercialized  vice  can  be  rooted  out  as  soon  as  the  com- 
munity wills.  But  the  only  way  in  which  the  social  evil 
will  be  eradicated  entirely  will  be  by  the  recognition  of  the 
single  standard  of  morality.  The  influence  of  the  Church 
young  people  should  be  thrown  on  the  side  of  the  single 
standard  and  everything  that  makes   for  it. 

The  Chapter  will  lend  its  influence  in  the  suppression 
221 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  songs,  pictures,  and  literature  that  may  be  suggestive, 
and  will  avoid  in  every  way  anything  which  may  tend 
toward  evil  thoughts.  Conscientious  young  women  will 
avoid  extreme  fashions  in  dress,  which  are  usually  not  only 
lacking  in  modesty  and   utility,  but  inartistic  as   well. 

Notices  should  be  placed  in  the  public  buildings  of  the 
community  directing  young  people  going  into  the  city  to 
apply  for  information  and  direction  only  to  officials  in  uni- 
form. Chapters  in  the  smaller  towns  and  cities  may  see 
that  their  members  who  are  moving  into  the  larger  centers 
are  put  in  touch  with  the  city  Church. 

Christianizing  Industry. — The  modern  Church  has 
started  on  the  task  of  making  industry  Christian.  The 
young  people  of  the  Churches  will  find  their  share  of  this 
task  in  endeavoring  to  improve  the  conditions  under  which 
the  young  people  are  now  working. 

The  most  pressing  need  is  for  legislation  concerning 
the  hours  of  work  and  the  creation  of  minimum  wage  boards. 
If  there  are  no  such  laws,  work  for  them.  Whether  the 
effort  shall  be  for  an  eight,  nine,  or  ten  hour  law  will  de- 
pend upon  how  far  advanced  your  State  is,  and  what  the 
industrial  group  is  fighting  for. 

Find  out  where  and  under  what  conditions  the  young 
people  of  your  community  are  working — in  factories,  stores, 
laundries,  telephone  exchanges.  It  is  frequently  possible, 
by  arousing  sentiment  in  a  community,  to  secure  the  im- 
mediate improvement  of  conditions  by  bringing  local  in- 
fluence and  pressure  to  bear  on  employers,  without  waiting 
for  the  slow  process  of  legislation.  If  satisfactory  laws 
already  exist,  help  to  get  them  enforced. 

The  rural  Chapter  may  concern  itself  with  the  condi- 
tions of  agrieultural  labor.  The  work  of  women  on  the 
farm  needs  to  be  made  lighter,  more  attractive,  and  enjoy- 
able. 

The  Agricultural  Department  at  Washington,  as  well 
as  the  State  Agricultural  School,  will  furnish  many  sugges- 
tions which  will  aid  in  making  farm  life  more  profitable, 
as  well  as  more  interesting.  Community  gatherings  for 
the  open  discussion  of  ways  and  means  may  be  made  the 
occasion  of  social  as  well  as  educational  meetings. 

222 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

GOOD    GOVERNMENT. 

When  the  Chapter  sets  out  earnestly  to  improve  com- 
munity conditions,  whether  it  be  in  recreation,  industry,  or 
health,  it  will  not  go  very  far  before  it  will  find  that  it 
must  work  through  the  government.  Epworthians  must 
learn  that  real  citizenship  entails  a  larger  responsibility 
than  going  to   the  polls   occasionally   and   casting   a   vote. 

The  presentation  of  subjects  in  the  Sunday  evening 
meetings  which  will  enlighten  the  young  people  concerning 
the  local  government  and  its  management  will,  therefore, 
be  of  more  than  passing  value. 

The  Chapter  will  provide  for  the  public  discussion  of 
all  measures  which  touch  the  community  welfare,  and  espe- 
cially measures  concerning  the  lives  of  young  people. 

A  pre-legislation  Institute  has  been  worked  with  suc- 
cess. This  Institute  consists  of  a  full  discussion  of  all  the 
important  measures  which  are  to  come  up  at  the  pending 
session  of  the  State  Legislature,  by  prominent  men  and 
women  who  are  qualified  to  speak  on  the  proposed  legis- 
lation. 

In  some  communities  a  junior  government  has  been 
organized,  in  which  a  group  of  young  people  elect  some 
of  their  number  to  fill  offices  similar  to  those  held  in  the 
local  government.  These  junior  officers  become  auxiliaries 
to  the  regular  officials,  assisting  them  in  every  way,  and 
using  the  other  young  people  as  auxiliary  forces  to  this 
end.  In  aiding  the  Health  Department  there  has  been 
organized  in  some  places  a  Junior  Sanitary  Police  to  in- 
spect the  health  conditions  of  the  community  and  to  en- 
deavor to  secure  the  observance  of  health  ordinances. 

Every  Chapter  should  have  on  the  wall  of  its  meeting 
place  a  directory  of  public  servants — senators,  representa- 
tives (both  State  and  National),  aldermen,  county  com- 
missioner, member  of  school  board,  and  others.  Then, 
when  it  is  desired  to  bring  the  influence  of  the  members 
to  bear  on  officials  who  have  certain  measures  under  con- 
sideration, the  names  and  addresses  will  be  easily  accessible 
to  all. 


223 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Who  Shall  Lead  the  Social  Service  Study  Class? 

Miss  Winifred  Chappell,  of  the  Chicago  Training 
School,  discusses  this  question  in  The  Epworth  Herald  as 
follows : 

"Just  now  a  very  real  problem  confronts  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  Third  Department — that  old  department  with 
the  alluring  new  name  and  the  .compelling  new  duties — 
namely,  Who  shall  lead  the  social  service  study  class? 

"The  time  is  ripe  for  the  organization  of  the  class. 
Enthusiasm  runs  high,  generated  by  last  summer's  institute, 
or  by  a  series  of  sermons  on  service  preached  by  the  pastor. 
Or  perhaps  a  vital  book  which  has  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  one  member  and  has  passed  eagerly  from  hand  to  hand 
has  prepared  the  way  for  the  class — Patten's  'New  Basis 
of  Civilization,'  or  Fiske's  'Challenge  of  the  Country,'  or — 
thrice  fortunate  Epworth  League — Rauschenbusch's  'Chris- 
tianizing the  Social  Order.'  Then  came  the  devotional 
meeting  of  March  15th.  Carefully  planned  in  advance,  it 
transmuted  the  enthusiasm  into  a  definite  plan  of  action. 

"The  text-book  is  at  hand,  too — a  dynamic  book  pre- 
pared by  a  man  who  knows,  for  young  people  who  desire 
knowledge.  And  the  community — it  presses  in  upon  the 
Epworth  League,  its  aching  problems  crying  for  solution. 
It  will  furnish  the  laboratory  first,  and  later  the  field  of 
action,  for  the  members  of  the  class. 

"But  who  shall  be  the  leader?  Third  Vice-President 
and  President  and  pastor  are  knitting  their  brows  over  the 
problem.  Upon  the  leader  depends  the  success  of  the 
class.     Therefore,  the  choice  is  all-important. 

"He  must  be  a  person  with  gifts  of  leadership, — per- 
sistence, for  it  is  not  easy  to  maintain  a  voluntary  class 
in  these  days  of  many  pressing  interests;  enthusiasm,  for 
a  phlegmatic  teacher  never  begot  ardor  in  his  class ;  and 
magnetism,  that  strange,  mystic  endowment  which  gives  a 
man  power  over  his  fellows ;  but  especially  conviction — con- 
viction on  the  subject  of  serving  one's  fellow-men. 

"Professed  followers  of  Jesus  divide  into  three  classes 
on  the  subject  of  the  Church  and  social  service.  In  the 
first  group — happily  becoming  small,  since,  as  Professor 
Rauschenbusch  somewhere  remarks,  the  Men  and  Religion 

224 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Forward  Movement  made  social  service  orthodox — are  those 
who  aver  that  the  sole  duty  of  the  Church  is  to  'save  souls,' 
to  'preach  the  good  old  gospel,'  that  matters  of  social  re- 
lationship are  'secular'  and  to  be  left  to  other  agencies.  In 
the  nature  of  the  case,  this  group  can  not  furnish  a  leader 
for  a  class  in  social  service. 

"The  second  group  consists  of  those  who  hold  that  social 
service  is  a  legitimate  task,  one  of  the  legitimate  tasks 
of  the  Church,  'but' — always  that  adversative  conjunction. 
'But,  we  must  not  over-emphasize  service,' — 'But,  we  must 
not  let  this  work  detract  from  the  spiritual.'  As  if  the 
first  and  second  commandments  were  antithetic  instead  of 
complementary  !  As  if  Jesus'  regard  for  men's  bodies  did 
not  lay  the  best  possible  foundation  for  the  life  of  the 
spirit !  From  tins  class  also  it  is  vain  to  look  for  a  potent 
leader. 

"The  third  group,  small  as  yet,  but  holding  the  very 
destiny  of  the  Church  in  its  hands,  is  composed  of  those 
who  maintain  that  by  all  that  is  sacred  and  good,  the  Church 
must  serve,  must  throw  herself  passionately  into  the  task 
of  redeeming  society  so  that  the  individuals  who  make  up 
society  may  have  a  chance  at  life — that  abundant  life  of 
which  Jesus  spoke.  These  know  in  the  depth  of  their 
hearts  that  if  the  Church  perish  at  the  task,  perish  she 
must,  as  her  Master  did,  but  the  task  must  be  undertaken. 
From  this  group  must  come  the  leader  for  the  class. 

"Somewhere  in  every  community  is  the  man  for  the 
place.  Let  him  be  sought  with  diligence  and  discrimination 
and  induced  to  take  upon  himself  this  important  work. 
For  under  his  leadership  the  class  may  be  developed  into 
an  active  force  which  in  time  will  make  large  contribution 
to  the  regeneration  of  the  community." 

The  Third  Department  and  New  Americans. 
The   Epworth   League   studies   immigration   in   its   mis- 
sion study  classes,  and  wisely.     For  we  may  as  well  admit 
that  immigration  must  be  faced  and  studied,  yes,  and  wel- 
comed. 

A  bewildering  business  is  going  on  all  over  this  country, 
and  we  are  all  so  mixed  up  in  it  that  we  can't  see  it  unless 
15  225 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

we  take  time  off  from  our  other  work  to  look  at  it  squarely. 
It  is  the  business  of  making  a  Nation,  our  Nation,  which 
is  to  have  its  great  place  in  a  still  greater  federation  of 
nations. 

The  old  notion  that  the  immigrant  could  be  "assimi- 
lated" by  some  sort  of  magic,  which  made  no  account  of 
blunders  or  blindness,  is  long  overdue   for   retirement. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  immigrant  of  this  generation  is 
doing  a  great  deal  to  assimilate  the  people  who  happened 
to  get  here  a  few  years  ahead  of  him. 

It  is  not  longer  a  question  of  what  we  shall  do  with 
to-day's  immigrant,  or  what  he  will  do  with  us.  Rather 
it  is  a  question  as  to  what  sort  of  immigrant  is  to  fix  the 
type  of  American  life. 

Naturally,  most  of  us  think  that  yesterday's  immigrant, 
meaning  our  own  group — is  the  one  who  ought  to  decide. 
But  there  is  no  "ought"  about  it. 

Just  because  we  happened  to  arrive  first,  we  have  no 
claim  that  can  stand  against  the  big  fact  of  the  other  im- 
migrant's presence  and  power.  In  many  places  he  is  even 
now  much  more  important,  industrially  and  politically,  than 
the  earlier  citizens. 

One  hopeful  sign  is  the  passionate  patriotism  of  the 
second  immigrant  generation.  The  public  school  deserves 
a  lot  of  credit  for  that.  Who  has  not  observed  that  the 
sons  of  Swedes  and  Italians  and  Hebrews  are  as  ardent 
lovers  of  America  as  the  sons  of  Virginians  and  Ver- 
monters  ? 

That  sign  is  a  challenge  to  the  young  people  of  the 
Churches.  Our  Churches  confess,  some  with  shame  and 
some  with  shoulder-shruggings  of  helplessness,  that  they 
have  not  done  enough  for  the  immigrant  to  let  him  know 
they  are  on  earth. 

The  Home  Mission  Boards  spend  dollars  on  fully  Amer- 
icanized communities  to  the  cents  that  are  available  far 
work  among  foreign-thinking  people.  Nor  can  we  blame 
the  Boards  much.  We  have  no  equipment  of  workers  that 
could  wisely  use  am'  large  funds. 

But  what  a  marvel  that  second  generation  is !  It  speaks 
English,   it   is   youthful,   it   is    ambitious    and   venturesome. 

226 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

It  will  supply  its  own  leaders,  if  we  but  capture  it.  It 
does  not  ask  for,  nor  will  it  follow,  leaders  who  have  been 
provided.  And  this  is  much  more  wholesome  than  that 
it  should  receive  leadership  that  could  be  wished  on  it  from 
outside. 

Very  well;  why  not,  then,  a  new  movement — a  move- 
ment without  officialism  or  machinery — of  the  young  Amer- 
icans in  our  Churches  toward  these  other  young  Americans  ? 
They  are  here  to  stay,  they  are  alive  to  their  finger-tips, 
they  can  be  taught,  they  can  teach  us,  they  are  going  to 
share  with  us  the  work  of  making  the  new  America,  we  are 
as  good  as  they  are — why  should  we  not  seek  an  alliance 
with  them? 

How?  That  is  not  the  most  important  question.  Be- 
sides, nobody  quite  knows  how.  Something  else  must  come 
first. 

But  what  does  World  Evangelism  mean,  what  does 
Social  Service  mean,  if  we  can  not  use  their  principles  in 
such  work  as  this  ? 

Just  as  a  hint  of  the  possibilities  that  open  up  here, 
think  of  the  classes  in  English  that  Epworth  League  Chap- 
ters might  maintain ;  of  the  socials  for  languages  and 
nationalities  we  might  have ;  think  how  a  score  of  such 
activities  are  available  to  give  largest  possible  expression 
to  the  unselfish  ideals  of  the  League,  and  do  it  in  a  way 
to  produce  lasting  and  far-reaching  good. 

Such  a  movement  would  go  a  long  way  toward  helping 
forward  some  great  reforms. 

For  example:  Be  as  hopeful  and  as  ready  for  battle 
on  the  liquor  issue  as  any  Christian  can  be.  But  if  the 
anti-liquor  forces  do  not  join  hands  with  the  second  immi- 
grant generation,  you  will  not  see  "a  saloonlcss  nation  in 
ten  years,"  in  spite  of  mass-meetings  and  pledges  and  get- 
together  dinners. 

Some  of  the  new  immigrants  are  doing  more,  right  now, 
in  this  temperance  work  than  most  long-established  Amer- 
icans suspect.  The  new  labor  union  leadership  and  the 
new  Socialist  leadership  is  in  dead  earnest  in  its  antagonism 
to  the  drink  business.      These  leaders  are  seeking  a   sub- 

227 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

stitute  for  the  saloon  which  shall  provide  the  saloon's  social 
relaxation  and  avoid  its  fearful  economic  and  moral  waste. 

They  want  their  people  to  have  brains.  And  they  know 
that  when  a  man's  head  is  muddled  with  liquor  he  is  not 
likely  to  do  much  for  the  bettering  of  the  wage-earner's  lot. 

The  big  industrial  struggle  of  to-day  and  to-morrow  has 
for  its  opposing  parties  the  employees  who  belong  to  an- 
other. They  show  little  sign  of  coming  to  an  understanding 
by  any  method  that  either  side  is  willing  to  accept  from 
the  other. 

If  the  young  people  of  both  sides  were  to  come  together 
in  ways  which  would  make  plain  their  identical  interests, 
they  would  do  much  toward  mortgaging  the  future  to  in- 
dustrial peace. 

To  put  it  definitely,  the  Church's  young  people  of  the 
older  generation  and  these  young  people  of  the  new  im- 
migration must  mingle  socially  and  democratically.  Nor 
should  there  be  any  difficulty  about  it.  The  spirit  of  democ- 
racy is  in  our  Methodist  blood.  Besides,  the  beginning  of 
all  evangelizing  is  in  social  fellowship. 

Our  Churches  must  become  social  centers — that  is,  cen- 
ters for  the  bringing  together  of  all  the  elements  that  make 
up  the  community.  Who  should  object,  for  example,  if 
some  Epworth  League  Chapter  succeeds  in  getting  a  group 
of  Italian  young  people  to  cross  the  League  threshold  for 
a  celebration  of  the  twentieth  of  September? 

Industrial  democracy  will  not  amount  to  much  unless 
we  have  social  democracy  to  back  it  up,  and  social  democ- 
racy itself  needs  to  be  buttressed  by  democracy  in  religion. 

So  with  the  other  great  social  matters.  In  every  one 
of  them  the  young  Other  American's  aid  must  be  had,  or 
not  much  will  get  itself  done  in  the  next  twenty-five  years. 

He  it  is  who  must  help  to  do  away  with  Sunday  work 
and  child  labor  and  the  sweat-shop  and  the  syndicating  of 
vice.  He  must  work  with  us  for  the  living  wage,  the 
shorter  work-day,  and  safety  while  at  work.  It  is  he  who 
must  join  with  the  idealists  in  politics,  believing  on  election 
day  in  righteousness  and  brotherhood  and  faith.  And  he 
must  feel  the  larger  patriotism,  which  finds  compatriots 
under   every    sky    where    man    works    unselfishly    for    man. 

228 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

In  a  word,  the  Other  American  and  his  wife  are  the 
most  problematical  personalities  on  the  continent  to-day, 
and  their  children  are  the  most  interesting,  the  most  prom- 
ising youth  in  the  world. 

The  mission  study  class  which  gives  ten  weeks  to  the 
study  of  immigration  should  come  out  of  the  experience  with 
a  sense  of  having  dipped  its  ladle  into  the  ocean.  But 
there  will  be  some  gain  in  discerning  that  it  is  the  ocean, 
wholesome,  vast,  salt,  and  often  stormy,  and  not  a  roadside 
mudhole. 

Local  Work. 

No  matter  where  the  Chapter  may  be,  it  should  take 
up  some  work  of  social  service  in  its  own  neighborhood. 
Not  one  Chapter  in  a  thousand  is  so  situated  that  there 
is  no  need  of  this  work.  As  a  part  of  the  larger  social 
problems,  every  community  has  its  quota  of  sick  and  needy, 
of  sad  and  discouraged,  of  weary  and  tired  folk.  They 
may  not  be  destitute,  but  they  are  none  the  less  in  need. 
The  Epworth  League  need  not  wait  until  poverty  or  ex- 
treme physical  distress  calls  for  assistance.  These  other 
things,  while  less  apparent  to  the  thoughtless  onlooker,  are 
occasions   for  important  and  resultful  service. 

When  a  new  administration  takes  hold  of  this  work,  it 
will  be  found  profitable  to  hold  a  meeting  of  the  commit- 
tee, giving  an  entire  variety  of  work  which  might  be  under- 
taken in  the  community  by  this  department.  Determine 
which  of  those  that  are  possible  is  most  urgent  and  most 
nearly  within  the  limit  of  the  Chapter's  ability.  Then 
select  one  or  two  or  three  of  these  avenues  of  activity. 
It  is  better  to  concentrate  the  work  of  the  department  on 
a  few  forms  of  work  than  to  attempt  to  cover  the  entire 
field. 

That  Deaconess. — One  of  the  most  practical  forms  of 
service  is  to  secure  a  deaconess  to  help  in  the  work  of  the 
Church.  Let  the  Chapter  assume  her  support  and  in  every 
way  stand  by  her  work.  She  will  be  worth  all  the  money 
the  enterprise  costs  in  discovering  ways  and  means  whereby 
the  Church  and  the  Chapter  may  become  real  forces  in  the 
life  of  the  community. 

229 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Third  Department  Money. — With  the  beginning  of 
every  year  a  budget  of  the  expenses  necessary  to  run  the 
Third  Department  should  be  made.  Do  not  stint  the  work. 
Resources  should  be  provided,  if  possible,  according  to 
needs.  Whenever  the  committee  can  find  real  work  to  do, 
it  should  have  abundant  means  with  which  to  do  it.  Better 
economize  anywhere  else  than  here. 

A  plan  used  by  some  departments  is  to  make  a  collec- 
tion in  the  Sunday  evening  meeting  occasionally.  In  other 
places,  one-tenth  of  the  entire  Epworth  League  funds  for 
the  year  is  put  at  this  department's  disposal.  One-tenth, 
however,  is  a  very  small  allowance ;  one-fourth  would  be 
very  much  better  in  most  places. 

Publicity . — One  difficulty  about  the  work  of  this  depart- 
ment is  that  it  has  not  had  sufficient  publicity.  Once  in 
a  while  hold  a  public  conference  for  others  besides  your  own 
members.  Plan  it  and  advertise  it  in  such  a  way  that  you 
will  be  sure  of  a  good  attendance.  Then,  when  you  have 
your  crowd,  describe  your  work.  Give  details  and  incidents 
that  have  grown  out  of  the  activities  of  the  various  com- 
mittees. Discuss  the  forms  of  work  which  are  desirable  in 
your  own  community.  And  take  a  collection.  There  will 
be  a  generous  response. 

Systematic  Visiting. 

This  work  requires  an  amount  of  tact  and  wisdom 
largely  in  excess  of  that  demanded  by  most  other  forms 
of  personal  service.  The  emphasis  must  be  placed  upon 
the  systematic  character  of  the  visiting,  and  yet  it  must 
have  all  the  warmth  and  spontaneousness  of  personal  and 
interested  concern  for  those  who  are  visited.  It  will  be 
advisable  in  most  cases  to  district  the  community  and  to 
hold  each  member  of  the  visiting  committee  or  committees 
accountable  for  prompt  and  sustained  work  in  his  or  her 
particular  district.  Perhaps  it  may  be  found  advisable 
that  visitors  go  two  by  two,  rather  than  singly. 

The  great  requirement  of  a  good  visitor  is  naturalness. 
The  great  temptation  in  the  systematic  visiting  of  the 
Epworth  League,  or  of  any  other  organization,  is  to  make 

230 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

it  a  perfunctory  or  formal,  and  therefore  very  unprofitable, 
affair. 

The  ordinary  call  should  be  brief.  No  matter  how  the 
patient  may  urge  visitors,  it  is  usually  best  that  the  strain 
of  receiving  visitors  be  ended  before  it  is  likely  to  do 
harm.  Of  course,  there  may  be  cases  where  the  illness 
does  not  forbid  long  calls. 

A  call  in  cases  of  sickness  is  largely  enhanced  in  value 
if  it  is  promptly  made.  The  weary  days  drags  themselves 
slowly  along,  and  as  day  after  day  passes  without  any  sign 
of  interest  from  the  people  of  the  outside  world,  the  invalid 
is  inclined  to  feel  that  all  interest  in  him  ceased  when  he 
became  helpless.  As  soon  as  you  know  of  a  case  of  sick- 
ness, notify  the  pastor.  Arrange  matters  with  him  so  that 
if  he  learns  first  of  any  case  he  will  notify  the  Chapter's 
Visiting  Committee.  Except  in  cases  where  the  nature  of 
the  sickness  makes  visiting  unwise  and  undesirable,  it  will 
be  a  kindness  to  the  friends  of  those  who  are  sick,  and 
to  the  sick  ones  themselves,  if  the  information  of  the  illness 
is  passed  around  the  circle. 

As  the  patient  recovers,  draw  him  out  to  speak  of  him- 
self and  his  attitude  toward  the  things  that  really  matter. 
Gather  papers,  magazines,  and  helpful  books  to  loan. 
Learn  from  the  nurse  whether  the  patient  can  have  fruit 
or  any  other  luxury,  and  supply  it. 

When  recovery  is  complete,  the  impressions  that  were 
made  during  the  visits  of  the  days  of  sickness  may  be  deep- 
ened and  strengthened  if  the  case  is  followed  up.  Do 
not  give  any  excuse  for  the  notion  that  your  interest  in 
people  begins  only  when  they  are  sick,  and  ceases  when 
they  get  out  of  bed  and  become  ordinary  people  once  more. 

A  word  of  warning  should  be  spoken  concerning  con- 
tagious and  infectious  diseases.  It  may  seem  brave  and 
self-forgetful  to  go  where  such  diseases  are.  Moreover,  it 
may  seem  cruel  and  unfeeling  to  stay  away.  But  the  safety 
of  the  many  ought  to  be  considered  before  the  feelings 
of  the  individual,  and  for  the  sake  of  other  families  and 
of  the  community  at  large,  all  who  are  not  directly  con- 
cerned should  be  kept  away  from  cases  of  contagious 
disease. 

231 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Hospital  Visiting. — The  increasing  number  of  hospitals 
under  the  supervision  of  Methodist  organizations  makes 
it  possible  for  many  Chapters  to  do  beautiful  Christian 
work  in  visiting  the  patients  under  treatment.  Many  hos- 
pitals arrange  for  regular  visits  of  this  sort,  sometimes  on 
Sunday  afternoons,  when  a  religious  service  can  be  planned 
for. 

In  such  cases  the  department  should  secure  the  at- 
tendance of  a  number  who  will  take  part  in  the  service — 
some  who  will  sing,  and  one  or  two  who  will  speak  briefly. 
At  the  close  of  the  more  formal  service,  which  will  prob- 
ably be  attended  by  all  the  patients  who  are  able  to  be 
brought  into  the  general  meeting  place,  the  workers  may 
make  brief  personal  calls  at  the  bedsides.  Manj'  a  man 
and  woman  are  nearer  to  decisions  that  will  change  the 
whole  direction  of  their  lives  in  time  of  sickness  than  at 
other  times,  and  the  earnest,  loving  presentation  of  the 
Savior,  who  heals  the  sorest  of  all  sickness,  the  sickness 
of  the  soul,  will  very  often  result  in  genuine  conversions. 

The  Stranger  in  Your  Tozvn. — In  visiting  strangers  it 
is  possible  to  make  the  call  a  real  pleasure  to  its  recipients. 
Do  not  try  to  disguise  the  object  of  the  visit.  Let  it  be 
understood  that  you  came,  first,  because  these  people  are 
strangers ;  second,  because  you  believe  that  your  Church 
and  Chapter  can  be  of  some  service  to  them.  Very  few 
people  will  resent  a  call  made  thus  frankly.  Most  people, 
indeed,  will  gladly  and  gratefully  welcome  visitors.  By 
tactful  and  considerate  inquiry,  learn  a  few  facts  about 
new-comers.  For  example,  are  they  regular  Church  at- 
tendants? If  not,  do  they  attend  Church  occasionally? 
Where?  Are  the  children  of  the  home  in  the  Sunday 
school  ?  Are  the  older  children  also  in  the  young  people's 
society?  If  not,  can  they  be  secured?  Is  there  any  sick- 
ness in  the  family?  Are  there  any  needs  which  can  be 
supplied  by  the  officers  of  the  Chapter?  The  information 
will  give  you  your  bearings.  It  will  disclose  the  conditions 
surrounding  the  newcomers. 

Getting  Acquainted. — It  is  sometimes  difficult  to  know 
how  to  make  the  approach  when  calling  upon  strangers. 
It  must  be  confessed   that  the  house-to-house  method,  ex- 

232 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

cept  in  small  communities,  where  the  people  are  well  known 
to  each  other,  is  not  a  great  success.  In  the  first  place, 
it  advertises  itself  as  a  wholesale  method  of  doing  business, 
and  people  do  not  like  to  he  dealt  with  by  wholesale.  The 
sight  of  two  visitors,  plainly  official,  parading  solemnly 
up  one  side  of  the  street  and  down  the  other,  is  sufficient  to 
dispel  all  feelings  of  welcome  from  the  hearts  of  those  who 
live  on  that  street. 

But,  fortunately,  it  is  rarely  necessary  to  resort  to  this 
mechanical  method.  On  nearly  every  Sunday  strangers 
may  be  found  in  every  church  in  a  town  of  any  considerable 
size.  A  greeting  at  the  close  of  the  Church  service  gives 
an  admirable  opportunity  for  the  expression  of  a  desire  to 
call,  if  such  attention  would  be  appreciated. 

It  may  be  that  there  are  children  in  the  Sunday  school 
whose  parents  do  not  attend  any  Church.  In  such  a  case 
the  children's  relation  to  the  Sunday  school  will  furnish  a 
natural  and  sufficient  introduction. 

Common  sense  can  often  bring  together  Church  people 
and  the  people  they  are  seeking  to  help.  The  pastor  may 
have  been  notified  when  Church  members  changed  their 
place  of  residence.  Of  course  he  will  call,  and  he  may 
furnish  the  name  and  address  to  the  Visiting  Committee. 
In  such  cases,  the  simple  statement  that  this  has  been  done 
will  be  sufficient  introduction. 

Do  not  visit  the  members  of  other  Churches  in  any 
sort  of  official  fashion.  You  may  disclaim  all  intentions 
of  influencing  them,  but  you  are  almost  certain  to  be  mis- 
understood, your  actions  are  likely  to  be  misinterpreted, 
and  not  much,  if  any,  good  can  be  accomplished. 

Necessitous  Cases. — The  League  is  not  an  organization 
for  the  relief  of  paupers.  It  should  avoid  in  every  possible 
way  the  suspicion  that  it  is  a  mere  charitable  society.  And 
one  of  the  things  that  must  be  especially  avoided  is  the 
taint  of  professional  poor-relief.  Leave  the  word  "poor" 
out  of  the  vocabulary  of  the  Third  Department.  "Poor 
boxes"  and  "dinners  for  the  poor,"  and  "clothing  for  the 
poor,"  and  all  other  things  bearing  such  special  labels  are 
disastrous  and  spoil  the  work.  This  is  not  saying  that 
people   who  need  money  and  clothing  and   food   are  to   he 

233 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTIIIAN. 

overlooked,  but  they  are  to  be  treated,  not  as  "poor,"  but 
as  members  of  the  family  of  God,  brethren  and  sisters  of 
our  common  life. 

Perhaps  the  most  difficult  work  of  visiting  is  that  under- 
taken in  behalf  of  those  who  are  in  need  of  material  help. 
Usually  those  who  are  the  most  deserving  are  the  least 
willing  that  their  needs  should  be  made  known  and  the 
most  reluctant  to  advertise  their  needs  in  person.  The 
utmost  tact  and  judgment  are  required  to  make  such  visit- 
ing successful,  and  yet  it  is  perhaps  the  most  important 
form  of  visiting  that  many  Chapters  can  attempt.  Put 
friendliness  and  Christian  interest  first.  Let  it  be  under- 
stood that  your  offer  of  material  aid  is  prompted  not  only 
by  the  existence  of  need,  but  by  your  own  personal  interest 
in  the  matter. 

The  Epworth  League  is  not  a  charity  organization. 
Its  members  are  not  unofficial  poor  commissioners.  The 
whole  movement  is  a  religious  one,  and  the  great  claim 
which  the  poor  have  upon  you  is  not  simply  their  poverty, 
but  their  relation  to  our  common  Lord.  They  are,  or  may 
become,  brothers  and  sisters  in  the  family  of  God. 

Visiting  Between  Chapters. — The  department  may  ar- 
range for  a  series  of  inter-Chapter  visits  that  will  strengthen 
and  emphasize  the  connectional  bond  of  the  Church.  As- 
signments may  be  made  so  that  two  members  shall  go  each 
week  to  some  other  Chapter,  especially  in  cities  or  towns 
Avhere  Chapters  are  numerous  and  within  easy  reach  of 
one  another.  It  may  even  be  possible  to  arrange  a  plan 
of  inter-Chapter  visitation  by  which  an  entire  scheme  cover- 
ing six  months  or  a  year  may  be  reduced  to  a  schedule. 
These  visits  will  accomplish  much  good.  Each  delegation 
will  see  the  work  of  another  Chapter  moving  under  ordinary 
conditions.  The  plan  cultivates  the  spirit  of  fellowship  and 
of  sympathy  with  the  difficulties  and  obstacles  which  are 
found  in  large  or  small  numbers  in  every  place. 

This  inter-Chapter  visitation  will  be  found  a  great  help 
also  to  the  backward  ones  among  the  members.  It  may  be 
easily  possible  that  a  member  whose  voice  has  never  been 
heard  in  the  home  Chapter  will  learn  to  speak  in  a  religious 

234. 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

meeting  by  standing  up  in  a  strange  place  as  representative 
of  the  Chapter  from  which  lie  or  she  has  come. 

All  this  work  of  friendly  ministry  is  worth  all  it  costs 
for  its  own  sake.  It  is  a  beautiful  and  Christly  thing  to 
comfort  the  sorrowing,  feed  the  hungry,  heal  the  sick,  re- 
lieve the  distressed,  clothe  the  naked,  and  raise  the  fallen. 
This,  like  every  other  form  of  social  service,  is  its  own 
reward  and  needs  no  other.     But  there  is  another. 

Wherever  such  work  is  wisely  and  unselfishly  done,  it 
reacts  on  the  League,  the  Church,  and  the  Kingdom.  Peo- 
ple who  have  come  under  the  gracious  influence  of  the 
Mercy  and  Help  work  are  more  ready  to  be  won  for  Christ 
than  at  any  other  time.  This  work,  rightly  done,  should 
be  a  constant  feeder  of  the  Chapter  and  the  Church.  It 
should  be  a  steady  help  the  year  round,  and  especially 
effective  during  times  of  revival. 

The  Regions  Beyond. 

The  needy  are  in  one  place ;  those  who  lack  nothing 
are  in  another.  That  is  a  fact  of  modern  life  which  must 
be  reckoned  with.  In  some  places  there  are  unnumbered 
populations  incapable  of  bettering  themselves  without  help. 
In  other  places  there  are  those  who  have  abundance  of 
possessions  and  access  to  many   forms  of  ministration. 

One  great  problem  of  our  day  is  the  problem  of  bring- 
ing the  Good  Samaritan  and  his  "neighbor"  together.  They 
do  not  live  in  the  same  part  of  the  town;  perhaps  not  in 
the  same  part  of  the  State.  But  for  the  sake  of  both,  they 
must  be  brought  together. 

The  chief  means  by  which  this  can  be  done  is  the  en- 
couragement and  support  of  the  work  being  carried  on 
where  the  need  is  greatest. 

Hospitals. — Our  deaconesses  and  other  workers  control 
each  year  an  increasing  number  of  hospitals.  These  are 
of  the  most  useful  sort;  much  of  the  work  they  do  is  entirely 
free,  because  the  patients  have  no  money  with  which  to 
pay  for  treatment.  Therefore,  the  hospital  must  depend 
for  its  support  largely  on  people  other  than  its   patients. 

Rural  Chapters  and  those  city  Chapters  remote  from 
the  hospital  should  have  a  share  in  this  work. 

235 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  needs  of  a  hospital  are  almost  infinite,  but  money 
will  satisfy  most  of  them.  Some  Chapters  are  so  situated 
that  they  can  provide  supplies  of  various  sorts,  and  there 
is  no  better  place  to  send  them  than  to  a  Methodist  hos- 
pital. The  products  of  the  farm  and  garden,  of  work  done 
by  devoted  hands,  and  miscellaneous  gifts  of  many  sorts 
are  always  welcome.  But  money  is  the  most  welcome  gift 
of  all.  A  barrel  of  potatoes  is  good,  but  it  affords  no  help 
in  paying  last  month's  gas  bill,  which  may  sometimes  be- 
come a  more  important  question  that  the  potato  problem. 
These  remarks  apply  with  equal  force,  of  course,  to  all 
forms  of  the  "donation." 

Concerning  the  donation  idea,  one  caution  will  apply 
to  all  its  varieties :  Do  not  purchase  in  the  open  market  the 
things  you  give  to  charitable  institutions.  The  same  money 
can  be  much  more  wisely  expended  by  those  in  charge  of 
the  institution.  They  are  entirely  trustworthy,  and  their 
knowledge  of  the  situation  means  much.  There  are  times 
in  such  an  institution  when  a  silver  dollar  is  worth  more 
than  ten  gallons  of  pickles. 

If  gifts  other  than  money  are  more  accessible,  be  sure 
that  those  who  are  in  charge  of  the  institution  are  con- 
sulted before  anything  is  sent  to  them.  Give  them  a  chance 
to  inspect  the  larder  and  linen  closet  and  to  make  a  state- 
ment of  the  sort  of  gifts  they  need.  And  always  pay  the 
freight. 

Homes  for  the  Aged. — The  foregoing  paragraphs  of 
this  section  also  apply  very  largely  to  the  help  which  may 
be  afforded  to  Homes  for  the  Aged.  In  addition  to  the 
regular  supplies,  these  homes  have  constant  use  for  the 
little  "homey"  things  that  old  people  enjoy,  and  yet  which 
do  not  come  under  the  head  of  absolute  necessities.  Every 
family  which  is  fortunate  enough  to  possess  grandparents 
has  discovered  the  amiable  and  simple  whims  which  cost 
little,  but  which  mean  much  for  the  convenience  and  com- 
fort of  elderly  people.  Their  rooms  are  furnished,  it  is 
true,  but  a  flower,  or  a  picture,  or  a  work-bag,  or  a  pin- 
cushion, or  a  book-shelf,  or  a  newspaper  holder,  or  slippers, 
or  any  one  of  a  hundred  other  things  would  make  those 
rooms  even  more  like  home  than  they  are  now. 

236 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Children's  Homes. — We  are  learning  that  the  child  is 
entitled  to  a  home.  If  it  has  none,  and  comes  into  Meth- 
odist hands,  we  have  in  part  accepted  the  duty  of  rinding 
a  home  for  it. 

The  ideal  home  is  the  one  which  shelters  a  normal 
family,  with  father,  mother,  and  children  of  the  same  blood. 
When  a  child  has  missed  or  lost  such  a  home,  he  ought  to 
have  the  best  possible  substitue  for  it.  And  because  it  is 
after  all  only  a  substitute,  we  should  "make  it  up"  to  him 
in  every  way  possible.  As  in  other  cases,  the  managers  of 
our  Children's  Homes  are  always  in  need  of  money.  The 
work  is  pure  charity,  with  no  productive  resources  to  pro- 
vide an  income.      It  must  be  supported   from  without. 

Many  Chapters  can  best  share  in  the  work  of  these 
Homes  by  determining  to  make  an  annual  offering  to  their 
support.  After  the  money  has  been  provided,  nothing  that 
children  eat,  wear,  or  otherwise  use  comes  amiss  in  such  a 
home.  Soap,  stockings,  sugar,  salt,  sheets,  are  a  few  things 
which  one  letter  of  the  alphabet  suggests,  and  the  other 
twenty-five  will  help  to  make  a  long  and  wonderfully  sug- 
gestive catalogue. 

There  are  many  other  enterprises  which  deserve,  and 
indeed  must  have,  such  support  as  has  been  indicated  here. 
The  institutional  Churches  of  the  cities,  the  homes  of  the 
Woman's  Home  Missionary  Society  in  various  parts  of  the 
South  and  elsewhere,  the  neighborhood  settlements,  the 
deaconess  homes,  and  all  the  other  forms  of  Christian  min- 
istration are  not  and  can  not  be  self-supporting.  But  they 
must  be  supported.  And  in  many  cases  the  one  agency  best 
fitted  to  help  in  their  support  is  the  Mercy  and  Help  Com- 
mittee of  the  Third   Department. 

"First  catch  your  hare."  Select  the  institution  you  de- 
sire to  help.  Jf  you  have  no  choice,  get  the  Year-Book 
of  the  Church  and  the  reports  of  the  various  institutions. 
The  Year-Book  will  tell  you  where  to  secure  the  reports. 
In  selecting  your  institution,  bear  in  mind  these  four  things . 

1.  Other  things  being  equal,  help  the  one  nearest  you. 
That  reduces  freight  bills,  as  well  as  secures  greater  in- 
terest in  the  work. 

2.  Consider  any  special  resources  at  the  command  of 

237 


THE  EFFICIENT  EP  WORT  HI  AN. 

your  Chapter.  You  may  be  able  to  help  a  hospital  more 
readily  than   an  orphanage. 

3.  With  due  regard  to  other  considerations,  seek  to  help 
the  institution  whose  needs  are  greatest  and  most  urgent. 

i.  Institutions  or  individuals,  perhaps  remote,  but  so 
situated  that  local  aid  for  them  is  insufficient  or  unattain- 
able, should  be  especially  remembered.  In  this  class  are 
immigrant  homes,  homes  and  schools  in  the  South  or  among 
specially  needy  classes  of  people  elsewhere,  hospitals  and 
other  institutions  in  the  congested  centers  of  the  great  cities, 
not  forgetting  the  heroic  preachers  and  other  workers  on  the 
picket-line  of  the  Church's  work. 

A  Few  General  Suggestions. 

Do  n't  send  a  check  or  give  a  dollar  when  you  ought 
to  go  yourself. 

Many  districts  are  taking  up  fresh-air  work,  the  city 
and  the  country  Chapters  co-operating. 

A  good  thing  for  a  country  Chapter  to  undertake  is  the 
repair  and  maintenance  of  the  parsonage. 

There  is  a  box  in  one  church  vestibule  marked  "Mercy 
and  Help."  It  is  as  good  as  the  old  poor-box,  and  the  name 
is  more  thoughtful. 

One  Chapter  spent  $30  on  an  invalid  chair,  and  loans 
it  to  those  who  would  otherwise  be  shut  in.  It  is  a  paying 
investment. 

One  Third  Vice-President  spent  four  weeks  in  one  home 
nursing,  and  three  in  another  caring  for  the  children  while 
the  mother  was  in  the  hospital. 

Call  on  the  well-to-do,  as  well  as  on  the  poor  folk. 
Some  people  in  good  circumstances  are  in  need  of  you  quite 
as  much  as  the  so-called  "unchurched  masses." 

It  is  an  evil  sign  when  we  discover  that  our  own  inter- 
ests interfere  with  our  duty  to  others. 

It  is  not  always  prudent  to  help  folks,  but  it  is  always 
Christlike. 

Every  opportunity  to  be  a  true  neighbor  is  God's  invi- 
tation to  honor  Him. 

To  be  a  Good  Samaritan  you  must  know  how  to  deal 
with  people  whose  need  is  "none  of  your  business." 

238 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

The  Epworth  League  Chapter  which  is  too  busy  with 
the  devotional  meeting  to  take  up  social  service  work  should 
elect  the  priest  and  the  Levite  as  honorary  members. 

Be  careful  how  you  begin  to  help  folks.  For,  having 
begun,  }'ou  must  keep  it  up  until  you  have  done  all  you  can. 

The  priest  avoided  defilement,  and  the  Levite  spent  no 
money,  but  the  Samaritan  the  next  day  was  the  holiest  and 
the  richest  of  the  three. 

The  best  thing  about  the  Samaritan  was  not'  his  means 
nor  his  skill,  but  his  sympathy. 

Jesus  Christ  is  our  Neighbor;  "He  that  had  mercy." 
And  we  must  be  like  Him,  or  we  may  not  claim  Him. 

If  you  can  not  find  some  one  to  neighbor,  there  is  some- 
thing the  matter,  not  with  your  eyes,  but  with  your  heart. 

There  is  need  just  now  in  this  country  of  a  million 
Good  Samaritans,  and  yet  many  more  than  a  million  Meth- 
odists have  gone  Sunday  by  Sunday  to  Church  and  con- 
fessed that  they  are  Christ's  disciples. 

Once  in  a  while — even  oftener — it  is  fine  to  do  a  piece 
of  Christly  work  that  does  n't  fit  into  any  statistical  blank. 

The  country  Chapter  which  wants  to  do  a  really  up-to- 
date  and  helpful  bit  of  service  should  send  to  the  Wisconsin 
Experiment  Station,  Madison,  Wis.,  for  Circular  29:  "A 
Method  of  Making  a  Social  Survey  of  a  Rural  Community.'' 

Some  so-called  social  service  is  a  process  of  waking 
up  the  community  so  as  to  give  it  a  sleeping-powder. 

The  reason  social  service  is  better  than  mercy  and  help 
is  just  this:  a  pure  milk  supply  will  keep  more  babies  well 
than  a  free  dispensary  could  restore  after  bad  milk  was 
brought  into  the  neighborhood. 

On  one  district  some  country  Chapters  which  had  few 
calls  for  relief  work  sent  boxes  of  clothing  in  to  a  city 
Chapter,  which  knew  just  what  to  do  with  them. 

Money  for  relief  work  is  raised  in  one  Chapter  by  the 
earning  of  a  minimum  of  fifty  cents  on  the  part  of  each 
one  who  can  be  interested  in  the  work.  The  usual  ex- 
perience  social   adds   zest   and   brightness   to  the   plan. 

The  committee  which  has  three  or  four  people  ready 
and  willing  to  sing  at  funerals  will  be  a  blessing  to  the 

239 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

pastor,  especially  if  he  has  many  funerals  to  conduct  among 
people  who  are  not  connected  with  the  Church. 

During  the  scarcity  of  vegetables  one  fall  there  'came 
a  plea  for  some  helj)  from  the  Omaha  Methodist  Hospital. 
One  Chapter  held  a  "vegetable  sociable."  Price  of  ad- 
mission, vegetables.  A  four-bushel  barrel  was  filled  with- 
out difficulty. 

The  Mercy  and  Help  Committee  of  a  Rhode  Island 
Chapter  called  on  a  happy  veteran  preacher  on  his  eighty- 
ninth  birthday.  The  pastor  went  also,  and  what  with 
prayer,  song,  and  a  few  birthday  reminders,  the  call  was 
a  most  delightful  event. 

A  saloonkeeper  wanted  to  open  up  near  a  church.  The 
League  Chapter,  together  with  the  pastor  of  a  neighboring 
Presbyterian  Church,  made  such  a  vigorous  protest  that 
the  saloon  people  said,  "These  people  made  it  too  hot  for 
us,"  and  withdrew  their  petition. 

The  flower-mission  work  is  worth  all  the  money  it  costs. 
But  it  can  be  extended  and  managed  at  less  expense  if  the 
Chapter  can  plan  for  a  flower  garden  or  a  greenhouse  of 
its  own.  Plants  can  be  loaned  from  this  greenhouse  and 
returned  to  be  ready  for  further  service. 

One  Junior  League  keeps  the  church  lawn  in  order. 
In  the  center  of  the  lawn  is  a  circular  flower-bed,  in  which 
foliage  plants  are  arranged  in  the  form  of  the  League 
badge.  Around  this  design  is  a  collection  of  plans  which 
furnishes  flowers  for  the  Visiting  Committee. 

A  group  of  Epworthians  drove  out  to  the  country  one 
summer  afternoon  to  a  "fruit-canning."  The  fruit  was 
donated  by  the  host,  and  the  cans  furnished  by  the  Chapter. 
The  afternoon  was  delightfully  spent,  refreshments  being 
served  after  the  serious  business  of  putting  up  the  fruit 
was  over.  The  nearest  Methodist  hospital  was  enriched 
by  a  goodly  shipment  of  most  acceptable  fruit. 

A  school  for  colored  children  in  South  Carolina  was 
sorely  in  need  of  a  library.  It  had  three  hundred  students 
and  no  books.  The  facts  came  to  the  knowledge  of  a  Chap- 
ter in  Wisconsin,  and  the  gift  of  one  volume  or  more  from 
each  member  of  the  Chapter  formed  the  nucleus  of  what 

240 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

will  shortly  be  a  fine  library.  That  is  fruitful  home  mis- 
sionary work. 

One  committee  circulates  subscription  cards  among  the 
business  men,  asking  an  annual  subscription  of  goods  from 
their  stock.  When  need  for  any  of  these  supplies  arises, 
the  subscription  card  is  presented  by  the  chairman,  and 
the  amount  of  goods  supplied  is  entered  on  the  back  of  the 
card.  This  is  a  simple  and  satisfactory  way  of  keeping 
the  account. 

The  hardest  day  in  almost  every  home  is  Saturday, 
when  all  the  little  folks  are  out  of  school  and  the  mother 
finds  much  work  and  worry.  Her  cares  would  be  lightened 
if  a  few  young  people  would  give  a  little  time  to  the  chil- 
dren. Gather  them  in  the  church  vestry  for  two  hours 
for  their  amusement.  The  time  will  pass  pleasantly  for 
the  little  folks,  and  may  easily  be  made  helpful  and  in- 
structive. How  much  it  will  mean  to  the  overburdened 
mothers  only  they  can  tell. 

A  thoughtful  Third  Vice-President  provides  a  supply 
of  quilts  and  bed-linen  with  which  to  supplement  the  stock 
in  homes  where  sickness  has  made  unusual  drafts  on  the 
linen  closet.  The  quilts  for  this  purpose  are  pieced  by 
old  ladies,  who  are  glad  to  find  a  way  in  which  they  can 
be  of  service.  The  friend  who  has  tried  this  plan  says: 
"I  have  been  out  on  two  cases  of  typhoid  fever  where  I 
took  this  course.  I  always  carry  a  few  delicacies  for  the 
sick,  and  some  flowers,  which  speak  words  we  never  know 
how  to  say." 

Keep  a  directory  of  places  where  various  sorts  of  gifts 
will  be  acceptable  and  wisely  used.  For  example,  discover 
where  cast-off  clothing  can  be  used;  where  pictures,  maga- 
zines, Sunday  school  cards,  canned  and  fresh  fruits,  flowers, 
and  hospital  supplies  are  desired.  There  are  scores  of 
institutions  within  reach  of  many  Chapters  which  would 
be  delighted  to  secure  one  cr  more  of  these  forms  of  sup- 
plies, and  most  of  these  things  are  within  easy  reach  of 
the  Chapters  themselves. 

This  committee  can  do  a  much-appreciated  work  by 
subscribing  for  The  Epworth  Herald,  the  Advocates,  and 
other  papers,  in  behalf  of  members  who  are  not  able  to 
16  241 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

subscribe  for  tberaselves.  Subscriptions  that  will  carry 
blessings  with  them  may  be  made  in  behalf  of  frontier 
preachers.  If  the  Chapter  is  helping  to  support  a  mis- 
sionary, a  subscription  to  The  Epworth  Herald  in  that  mis- 
sionary's name  will  be  a  delightful  and  appropriate  gift. 

Much  has  been  said  about  carriages  for  the  aged  on 
Old  Folks'  Day.  This  plan  of  getting  out  the  aged  per- 
sons in  the  community  is  a  good  one.  Why  limit  it  to  Old 
People's  Day?  Start  an  Epworth  League  carriage  for  the 
special  benefit  of  the  aged  Christians.  Let  it  be  in  opera- 
tion every  Sunday  morning,  gathering  a  few  who  could 
not  otherwise  come  to  the  sanctuary.  In  many  places  this 
can  be  done  without  expense,  if  the  members  of  the  Chapter 
will  take  turns  in  playing  coachman,  and  if  the  work  is 
planned  systematically  so  that  the  burden  does  not  fall 
too  heavily  on  a  few.  A  variation  of  this  method  in  the 
case  of  down-town  Churches  is  the  use  of  a  Sunday  school 
wagonette,  which  gathers  up  the  smaller  children  from  the 
remotest  homes  and  carries  them  to  and  from  Sunday 
school. 

Another  mode  of  gracious  helpfulness  in  connection 
with  the  Church  service  is  the  Epworth  League  nursery. 
If  there  is  a  room  somewhat  isolated  from  the  auditorium, 
two  or  three  members  of  the  department  can  fit  it  up  simply 
so  that  they  may  take  charge  of  the  smaller  children  who 
are  brought  to  church.  Simple  kindergarten  work  may  be 
done,  or  interesting  stories  told.  Even  the  babies  can  be 
taken  care  of  with  a  little  planning.  This  idea  makes  it 
possible  for  mothers  to  come  to  church  who  could  not  think 
of  coming  if  they  had  to  face  the  ordeal  of  caring  for  the 
little  ones  throughout  the  Church  service,  and  who  have 
no  facilities  for  leaving  the  children  at  home.  A  variation 
of  this  plan  sends  a  committee  from  the  department  to  the 
homes  where  there  are  small  children,  just  before  the  even- 
ing service.  Then  the  parents,  neither  of  whom  care  to 
go  to  Church  without  the  other,  can  go  with  quiet  minds, 
leaving  the  Epworthians  in  charge  of  the  home.  The  chil- 
dren can  be  put  to  bed,  or  if  they  are  old  enough,  they 
can  be  entertained  until  the  parents  return. 

Many  people  who  can  not  come  regularly  to  Epworth 
242 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

League  or  Sunday  school  would  be  glad  to  use  the  libraries 
of  these  organizations.  Let  the  Mercy  and  Help  Com- 
mittee manage  the  circulating  feature  of  the  library. 

Provide  a  fruit-cellar  for  the  use  of  the  committee.  A 
canvass  of  the  housewives  at  canning-time  will,  in  most 
cases,  secure  the  promise  of  one-tenth  of  the  fruit  for  the 
Lord's  work.  Gather  it  up,  put  it  in  a  safe  place  where 
it  will  be  available  through  the  winter  as  needed. 

There  may  be  a  boy  or  girl  in  your  neighborhood  who 
ought  to  go  to  college,  and  who  could  go  if  only  the  hard 
pull  at  the  start  were  safely  over.  The  Third  Department 
might  start  one  of  its  members  to  school  without  giving 
offense  to  the  most  sensitive  feelings,  if  it  were  done  as  a 
co-operative  effort.  Make  it  a  partnership  affair.  Insist 
that  you  are  going  to  get  as  much  good  out  of  it  as  the 
direct  beneficiary.  Then  pack  the  trunk,  or  provide  some 
of  the  things  that,  while  necessary  to  the  beginning  of  col- 
lege life,  seem  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  the  prospective 
college  student. 

The  public  institutions  of  the  city  offer  an  inviting  field 
for  work.  The  various  charitable  homes,  the  hospitals,  the 
prisons,  the  orphanages,  are  so  many  opportunities  for 
League  work.  Of  course,  if  this  work  is  attempted,  it  must 
begin  by  securing  the  cordial  co-operation  and  support  of 
the  authorities.  Religious  meetings  may  be  held,  personal 
work  done  wherever  possible,  and  the  more  material  side 
of  the  League's  work  put  into  play  as  opportunity  offers. 
Lor  instance,  in  visiting  a  hospital,  flowering  plants,  small 
yet  beautiful,  may  be  secured  for  each  patient.  At  the 
holidays — Christmas,  New  Year's,  Easter,  Thanksgiving — 
•simple  but  tasteful  cards  may  be  provided  for  all  the  resi-' 
dents  of  the  institution.  The  work  is  not  out  of  place  nor 
morbid,  even  when  done  in  connection  with  jails  or  prisons. 

Of  course,  in  such  cases  sensible  Epworthians  under- 
stand that  it  is  neither  patriotic  nor  religious  to  express 
sympathy  for  the  afflictions  of  the  wrong-doer  while  losing 
sight  of  his  moral  condition. 

The  country  has  large  opportunities  for  special  service. 
The  comparative  cheapness  and  availability  of  fruit  and 
produce  make  such  gifts  easy  to  the  country  Chapter.     In 

243 


THE  EFFICIENT   EPWORTHIAN. 

the  late  summer  and  early  fall,  by  co-operation  with  city 
Chapters,  shipments  of  fresh  fruit  may  be  sent  to  those 
to  whom  it  will  be  an  unwonted  luxury.  A  hen  and  her 
brood  may  be  cared  for  through  the  summer  with  Thanks- 
giving and  Christmas  dinners  in  mind  for  those  city  dwell- 
ers, discovered  by  the  Chapter  in  town,  to  whom  the  pro- 
visions will  be  a  grateful  and  much-needed  surprise. 

Canned  fruit  may  be  prepared  for  hospitals,  for  dea- 
coness homes,  and  other  institutions  which  have  large  need 
of  such  provisions  and  small  incomes.  Many  of  these  insti- 
tutions will  provide  the  cans  in  any  quantity. 

A  word  as  to  shipment  of  such  fruits.  Let  the  shipper 
pay  the  freight.  Sometimes  a  barrel  of  fruit,  coming  to 
the  city  hospital  whose  finances  are  sadly  overtaxed,  is  an 
embarrassing  gift  because  the  freight  charges  are  not  easy 
to  pay. 

In  cases  of  sickness  the  Chapter  may  occasionally  do 
good  service  by  providing  voluntary  nurses  and  watchers. 
But  there  are  many  cases  where  a  professional  nurse  is 
greatly  needed  while  the  family  pocketbook  will  not  pro- 
vide such  a  luxury.  Then  the  Chapter  can  be  especially 
useful.  In  the  same  way  a  doctor  may  be  secured  when 
otherwise  medical  help  would  be  out  of  the  question.  Doc- 
tors and  nurses  will  usually  be  glad  to  make  special  terms 
in  such  cases  and  to  share  the  privileges  of  service  with 
the  people's  society. 

Fresh-Air  Work. 
Fresh-air  work  is  the  most  practical  form  of  Chris- 
tianity that  can  be  attempted  in  a  great  many  places  during 
the  summer  months.  With  a  little  planning  the  work  may 
be  done,  easily  and  effectively,  by  hundreds  of  Chapters  in 
every  part  of  the  country  wherever  there  is  a  city  large 
enough  to  have  a  considerable  population  in  congested 
areas.  The  raw  material  for  fresh-air  work  is  present  in 
large  abundance ;  children  whose  only  playground  is  the 
street,  and  who  know  nothing  of  the  delights  of  the  open 
field,  the  clear  sky,  and  the  free  life  of  the  farm.  About 
these  cities  there  are  great  stretches  of  God's  country,  with 
small  towns,  villages,  and  farms  radiating  in  every  direc- 

244 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

tion  from  the  populous  center.  The  territory  within  a 
hundred  miles  of  any  of  these  cities  is  available  for  fresh- 
air   work. 

The  proper  prosecution  of  fresh-air  work  requires  the 
co-operation  of  one  or  more  city  Chapters  with  one  or  more 
Chapters  in  the  country.  The  work  is  especially  adapted, 
on  the  city  side,  to  city  Epworth  League  unions,  whose 
officers  can  direct  and  supervise  the  work.  The  city  Chap- 
ter's work  is  twofold — to  find  the  children  who  need  the 
outing,  and  to  find  the  money  for  their  transportation  to 
and  from  the  country.  Incidentally,  of  course,  the  city 
Chapters  will  provide  one  or  more  guardians  for  the  jour- 
ney. The  country  Chapters  have  their  share  of  work  in 
finding  homes  at  which  the  city  children  will  be  welcome 
for  one  or  two  weeks  as  guests.  Then,  after  all  arrange- 
ments have  been  completed,  and  the  children  have  come,  the 
country  Epworthians  will  meet  them  at  the  station  and 
distribute  them  to  the  homes  that  are  waiting  to  receive 
them.  At  the  close  of  the  specified  period  the  children  will 
be  gathered  together  and   escorted  back  to  town. 

This  process  may  be  repeated  two  or  three  times  during 
the  summer  months.  It  is  best,  when  possible,  to  provide 
a  new  list  of  homes  for  each  batch  of  children,  lest  the 
work  prove  too  burdensome  on  a  few.  Circumstances  in 
individual  cases  will  determine  how  much  or  how  little 
supervision  of  the  children  is  necessary  after  they  have 
reached  the  homes  provided  for  them.  In  some  cases  noth- 
ing else  will  need  to  be  done.  In  others  the  Chapters  may 
find  it  wise  to  have  picnics,  entertainments,  and  other  diver- 
sions for  the  children. 

A  variation  of  the  plan  is  possible  where  there  is  a 
community  which  possesses  available  vacant  houses.  Let 
one  of  these  houses  be  cleaned  and  provided  with  the  simple 
furniture  needed.  Canvass  the  neighborhood  for  these  ar- 
ticles. They  may  usually  be  secured  from  members  and 
friends  for  the  period  covered  by  the  outing.  Where  this 
plan  is  adopted  a  guardian  should  accompany  the  children 
from  the  city,  and  members  of  the  country  Chapter  will 
take  turns  in  helping  the  children's  guardian  to  care  for 
her  lively  and  irrepressible  charges. 

245 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  correspondence  between  the  country  and  city  Chap- 
ters interested  in  this  work  should  begin  early  in  the  season, 
and  everything  should  be  fully  planned  before  the  actual 
work  begins.  A  careful  record  should  be  kept  of  ever}' 
child  who  is  to  go  into  the  country,  giving  name,  sex,  date 
when  the  trip  is  to  begin,  destination,  and  length  of  the 
stay.  At  the  same  time  a  careful  canvass  should  be  made 
by  the  country  Chapters  of  all  the  available  homes  within 
reach,  noting  name,  address,  nearest  railroad  station,  num- 
ber of  children  who  will  be  received,  age,  sex,  number  of 
days  they  will  be  cared  for,  date  of  beginning  of  their  stay. 

In  the  canvass  for  money  to  pay  railroad  fares,  the 
Chapters  remote  from  the  congested  districts  of  the  city 
should  be  given  their  full  share,  of  the  work.  Do  not  leave 
that  burden  to  the  down-town  Churches  and  the  missions. 
It  is  as  important  to  the  remotest  Churches  that  this  work 
should  be  done  as  it  is  to  those  down-town,  and  the  entire 
problem  ought  to  be  attacked  by  methods  which  are  in  the 
highest  sense  co-operative. 

Distributing  Literature. 

In  the  distribution  of  magazines  and  papers,  a  little 
system  will  be  a  great  help.  The  work  will  not  continue 
more  than  two  or  three  weeks  unless  some  system  is  adopted. 
A  corps  of  carriers  should  be  organized.  Use  the  Juniors 
for  this  work. 

First,  let  them  canvass  the  community  with  a  card  con- 
taining a  question  something  like  this,  "Will  you  permit  the 

carrier  from  the    Epworth  League  Chapter 

to  leave  a  paper  or  magazine  with  you  each  week?"  or 
month,  as  the  case  may  be.  On  the  lines  underneath  this 
question  the  persons  canvassed  are  asked  to  write  their 
names  and  addresses.  Arrange  these  cards  into  routes. 
Give  each  carrier  a  dozen  or  so,  and  ask  him  to  do  the  work 
on  Saturday  or  Sunday  afternoon.  Get  a  rubber  stamp 
and  use  it  on  every  piece  of  literature   sent  out.      Let  it 

read,    "With   the   compliments   of    Epworth 

League  Chapter."  Then  there  will  be  no  question  as  to 
the  source  from  whence  this  literature  has  come,  and  you 

246 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

will  impress  the  existence  of  your  Chapter  upon  the  minds 
of  those  who  might  never  hear  of  it  in  any  other  way. 

Literature  of  many  sorts  is  very  acceptable,  not  only 
in  homes,  but  in  public  institutions  and  other  places  where 
many  persons  are  compelled  to  spend  much  time.  Hos- 
pitals are  glad  for  literature  for  the  use  of  their  conva- 
lescents. Sailors'  homes,  rest  rooms  for  street-railroad  men 
and  other  classes  of  workers,  find  a  constant  demand  for 
almost  any  kind  of  literature.  Then  the  charitable  insti- 
tutions of  various  sorts,  and  even  the  prisons,  are  con- 
stantly calling  for  decent  reading  matter.  But  it  need 
not — must  not — be  confined  to  sermons,  tracts,  and  reports 
of  religious  organizations. 

The  barber  shops  of  a  community  are  sadly  lacking  in 
good  literature.  They  have  altogether  too  much  of  the 
other  kind.  Current  issues  of  The  Epworth  Herald  and 
other  papers  of  like  character  would  do  much  to  counter- 
act the  influence  of  the  stuff  that  is  usually  found  on  the 
barber-shop  table. 

There  is  need  of  a  reform  in  the  matter  of  providing 
literature  at  railway  stations.  Oftentimes  the  newspaper 
pocket  which  hangs  so  invitingly  on  the  walls  of  waiting- 
rooms  is  entirely  empty  for  weeks  together.  At  other  times 
it  contains  a  beggarly  supply  of  unattractive  material. 
Change  all  that.  Keep  the  wall-pocket  full  if  it  takes 
three  visits  a  week  to  do  it.  The  oftener  it  is  emptied, 
the  more  certain  you  may  be  that  it  is  doing  its  work 
properly.  Put  good,  wholesome  reading  into  the  pocket. 
Satisfy  yourself,  whatever  this  literature  may  be  externally, 
that  at  heart  it  is  positively  on  the  side  of  Christianity  and 
the  Church. 

The  Redemption  of  Holidays. 
A  great  social  service  work  can  be  done  in  the  redemp- 
tion of  our  National  holidays  from  popular  degradation. 
For  example,  a  new  Fourth  of  July  is  urgently  de- 
manded. It  is  not  possible  and  not  really  necessary  to 
do  away  with  the  noisy,  semi-barbarous  celebration  so  dear 
to  the  heart  of  the  small  boy.  But  the  Fourth  of  July 
is  an  ideal  da}r  on  which  to  emphasize  and  encourage ' such 

247 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

I  lungs  as  the  temperance  enterprise,  the  cultivation  of  true 
and  vigorous  patriotism,  the  setting  up  of  Christian  stand- 
ards and  ideals  in  political  life,  and  the  recognition  of  a 
dependence  upon  God  in  National  affairs. 

In  attempting  this  redemption  of  the  Fourth  of  July 
the  Social  Service  Committee  should  begin  early  and  plan 
for  a  realty  great  celebration.  Nothing  small  should  be 
attempted  for  the  National  birthday.  It  would  be  a  fore- 
ordained failure.  And  do  not  omit  the  holiday  features. 
Recognize  the  fact  that  it  is  a  day  for  play,  as  well  as 
for  public  profit.  Unite  with  other  Chapters  to  make  the 
day  a  notable  one.  Provide  for  banners,  for  the  very  best 
speeches  that  can  be  provided,  and  for  games  and  innocent 
refreshments. 

If  there  is  any  important  measure  pending  before  any 
legislative  or  executive  body,  this  Christian  Fourth  of  July 
affords  a  splendid  opportunity  for  the  circulation  of  peti- 
tions. Usually  there  is  no  taint  of  partisan  politics  in  the 
air.  The  fall  campaigns  have  not  yet  begun,  and  the 
thoughts  of  most  men  turn  easily  to  ideas  in  harmony  with 
the  hope  and  prayers  of  the  fathers  of  the  Republic.  De- 
tailed plans  will  be  found  on  pages  352-3. 

Another  day  which  may  be  made  valuable  in  the  work 
of  Christian  citizenship  is  Thanksgiving  Day.  It  is  some- 
thing more  than  the  day  of  a  big  feed.  It  has  both  a 
political  and  a  religious  significance.  If  the  Church  has 
not  already  planned  to  observe  Thanksgiving  Day,  let  the 
Chapter  take  the  initiative.  Get  on  the  good  side  of  the 
pastor.  Win  his  consent  to  hold  a  Thanksgiving  Day 
service  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Tell  him  that 
you  will  see  to  it  that  he  has  a  congregation.  It  would 
be  a  strange  preacher  who  would  refuse  to  preach  on 
Thanksgiving    Day    if    his    congregation    were    assured. 

The  difficulty  with  most  Thanksgiving  Day  services  is 
the  absence  of  the  people.  The  Chapters  can  remedy  that 
if  they  will,  and  if  they  do  the  preacher  will  be  glad  to 
do  his  utmost. 

Of  course,  when  the  Epworth  League  takes  the  initiative 
the  pastor  will  be  less  inclined  than  ever  to  deliver  a  pes- 
simistic, gloomy,  doleful  wail,  and  miscall  it  a  Thanksgiving 

218 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

sermon.  Instead,  he  will  see  the  bright  side,  he  will  dis- 
cover the  good  things  that  are  to  be  found  in  the  history 
of  the  Nation,  he  will  emphasize  the  duty  and  the  spirii 
of  Thanksgiving,  and  he  will  bear  profoundly  on  the  divine 
mission  of  the  American  people.  For  more  detailed  dis- 
cussion  of   Thanksgiving    Day    observance,    see   page    372. 

Holidays  like  Labor  Day,  Washington's  Birthday,  Lin- 
coln's Birthday,  and  others  are  especially  appropriate  for 
the  holding  of  Ep worth  League  rallies.  The  patriotic  idea 
has  always  been  appropriately  linked  to  the  religious  idea, 
and  both  ideas  are  the  gainers  of  the  process. 

The  right  of  petition  is  guaranteed  by  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution. Some  people  have  an  idea  that  petitions  do  not 
amount  to  much.  They  are  mistaken.  Petitions  of  the  right 
sort,  presented  at  the  right  time,  have  often  influenced  legis- 
lators to  vote  the  right  way.  A  legislator  is  a  susceptible 
individual.  He  is  remarkably  sensitive  to  public  opinion. 
Some  petitions  reflect  public  opinion.  Others  do  not.  If 
the  Epworth  League  commits  itself  only  to  the  sensible  and 
timely  petition,  its  influence  will  be  recognized  wherever 
men  meet  to  make  laws. 

Make  a  Directory  of  Public  Servants. 

Who 's  your  United  States  senator  ?  Congressman  ? 
State  senator?  Representative?  Alderman?  County  com- 
missioner?    School  Board  member? 

Not  many  of  us  could  stand  an  examination  in  this 
branch  of  knowledge.  And  yet,  if  we  count  ourselves 
citizens,  what  knowledge  is  of  more  practical  usefulness? 

Don't  you  see?  Every  little  while  a  question  comes 
up  for  public  consideration.  The  pastor,  or  the  Third  Vice1 
President  of  the  League,  or  the  visiting  reformer  makes 
an  appeal,  asking  everybody  to  write  to  the  official  whose 
influence  is  desired  on  our  side — which,  of  course,  is  the 
right  side ! — of  the  question  of  the  hour. 

At  the  moment  we  are  all  interested ;  perhaps  indignant, 
or  enthusiastic,  or  desperate,  as  the  appeal  may  have 
stirred  us. 

But  when  the  meeting  is  over,  who  knows  where  to 
write?     And  it  is  too  much  trouble  to  find  out,  or  perhaps 

249 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

we  do  n't  know  even  how  to  go  about  the  task  of  finding 
out. 

Hint  to  the  Third  Vice-President,  from  A.  F.  Patterson, 
of  Newport,  Wash.:  If  you  would  do  a  bit  of  practical 
social  service,  prepare  a  directory  of  those  public  officials 
who  are  likely  to  be  involved  in  the  decision  of  questions 
affecting  the  public  good.  Then  post  the  list  in  the  League 
room  or,  better,  in  some  place  where  every  Church  at- 
tendant will  be  able  to  see  it. 

Then,  when  we  are  asked  to  send  a  telegram  or  a  post- 
card to  some  official  who  needs  to  be  encouraged  or  in- 
formed or  warned,  you  can  add,  "His  name  and  address 
Avill  be  found  on  your  'Directory  of  Public  Servants.'  " 

The  Temperance  Crusade. 

The  Local  Constitution  of  the  Epworth  League  reads 
as  follows: 

The  temperance  work  of  the  Epworth  League  is  not 
designed  to  supplant  that  of  any  temperance  organization. 
We  intend  to  do  nothing  which  they  can  do  as  well.  We 
will  co-operate  with  them  wherever  possible,  and  help  them 
all  we  can.  In  some  cases  we  may  supplant  their  activities 
by  taking  up  certain  forms  of  service  which  they  have  not 
undertaken. 

First  of  all,  our  crusade  seeks  to  revive  the  moral- 
suasion  methods  which  were  so  successful  thirty  years  ago, 
and  which  have  been  much  neglected  during  the  years  since 
the  legal  side  of  the  movement  has  had  special  attention. 

We  aim  to  get  all  the  boys  and  girls  and  young  women 
and  children  whom  we  can  reach  definitely  pledged  against 
liquor  drinking.  More  than  that,  we  will  attempt  to  secure 
their  pledge  to  create  a  sentiment  against  social  drinking, 
and  to  do  everything  to  outlaw  the  traffic. 

The  following  form  of  pledge  is  suggested  as  being  in 
harmony  with  the  Church's  oft-repeated  declarations  of 
the  personal  and  political  duty  resting  upon  Christians: 

/  hereby  pledge  myself,  God  helping  me,  to  abstain  from 
the  use  of  all  alcoholic  liquors  as  a  beverage.  I  also  promise 
to  discourage  their  use  by  others.     I  pledge  myself  that  no 

250 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

political  candidate  who  stands  committed  to  the  liquor  in- 
/<  rests,  or  who  refuses  to  commit  himself  to  the  policy  of 
local,  State,  or  National  prohibition,  can  have  my  support 
or  vote. 

The  Epworth  League  has  a  great  field  of  its  own  mem- 
bers. Suppose  even  one-half  of  its  members  shall  be  in- 
duced to  take  the  total  abstinence  and  political  action 
pledge.  But  the  actual  membership  of  the  League  is  but 
a  small  part  of  our  constituency.  The  Sunday  school  is 
open  to  us.  The  Junior  League  is  open  to  us.  Tens  ol 
thousands  of  young  people  who  are  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  may  readily  be  induced  to 
make  the  covenant  here  set  forth.  It  is  expected  that  the 
Third  Vice-President  will  keep  a  record  of  the  number  of 
pledges  signed. 

The  duty  of  the  young  Christian  is  not  wholly  per- 
formed when  he  has  done  his  best  on  the  suasion  side  of 
this  war.  There  is  another  side.  It  has  to  do  with  the  rum 
dealer  as  a  law-breaker.  Until  the  legal  prohibition  of  the 
curse  can  be  secured,  existing  laws  should  be  enforced. 
And  the  Epworth  League  should  help  to  do  it.  This  can 
sometimes  be  done  by  placing  it  squarely  before  the  com- 
munity. At  times  it  may  be  well  to  join  with  the  anti- 
saloon  law  enforcement.  We  can  aid  such  a  crusade  by 
our  influence,  our  money,  our  carelessness  of  what  people 
may  think  or  say,  and  our  moral  nerve  in  the  face  of  danger. 

This  work  for  the  enforcement  of  law  is  no  holiday 
affair.  It  must  be  a  struggle  backed  by  conviction  and  a 
zeal  born  of  actual  desperation.  It  must  not  be  intermit- 
tent. The  rum  men  have  no  dread  of  spasms  of  municipal 
goodness.  But  they  are  filled  with  dread  when  good  citi- 
zens enlist  for  the  three-years'  war. 

Literature  for  the  use  of  the  department  may  be  pro- 
cured from  the  Methodist  Temperance  Society,  Topeka. 
Kan.  Other  good  sources  are  the  National  Temperance 
Society,  New  York  City;  headquarters  Anti-Saloon  League, 
Columbus,  Ohio;  headquarters  Woman's  Christian  Temper- 
ance Union,  Evanston,  111. 

Other  Ways  to  Help  Crush  the  Saloon. — Cultivate  your 
251 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

local  editors,  and  try  to  secure  the  publication  of  some  stir- 
ring temperance  matter  every  little  while. 

Do  not  patronize  papers  which  publish  whisky  adver- 
tisements. 

Request  the  ministers  of  all  the  Churches  to  preach  on 
the  liquor  abomination. 

See  that  temperance  instruction  is  given  in  the  public 
schools  in  communities  where  the  law  permits. 

Do  not  patronize  druggists  or  grocers  who  sell  liquor 
as  a  beverage. 

Insist  that  the  laws  respecting  the  sale  of  liquor  to 
habitual  drunkards  shall  be  rigidly  enforced. 

Have  no  mercy  on  saloonists  who  persist  in  selling 
liquor  to   minors. 

If  no  anti-cigarette  ordinance  exists  in  your  munici- 
pality, work  to  secure  its  passage.  Then  do  everything 
possible    to    shield    the    boys    from    that    baneful    curse. 

See  that  the  young  voters  turn  out  to  the  caucus  of  the 
party  of  which  they  are  members,  and  secure  the  nomination 
of  clean  men. 

Vote  for  men  who  are  sworn  enemies  of  the  rum  traffic, 
no  matter  upon  what  ticket  their  names  appear.  Vote  for, 
no  other. 

Invest  some  money  in  the  temperance  reform,  remem- 
bering that  the  rum  power  is  enormously  rich  and  spend 
money  without  limit  to  protect  its  interests. 

Give  your  aid  to  any  organization  which  is  righting  the 
traffic. 

Be  particularly  kind  to  the  victims  of  drink.  In  their 
sober  hours  they  realize  the  bondage  in  which  they  are  held. 
Despair  often  takes  hold  upon  them.  They  need  sympathy. 
None  are  so  low  that  they  can  not  be  reached.  Suppose 
they  sign  your  pledge  a  dozen  times,  and  fall.  Go  after 
them  again.     Keep  after  them. 

The  victim's  wife  and  family  appeal  to  your  pity.  Is 
there  anybody  on  this  planet  who  deserves  more  sympathy 
than  the  drunkard's  wife 

The  women  members  of  the  Social  Service  brigade  have 
a  duty  toward  their  erring  sisters.  Some  of  them  are  young 
and  giddy.     They  have  not  yet  fallen  into  degrading  sin. 

252 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Yet,  because  of  the  almost  inexorable  laws  of  heredity,  or 
the  subtle  influence  of  environment,  they  are  exposed  to 
temptations  of  the  most  damning  sort.  They  should  be 
warned  and  protected  and  helped. 

Then,  there  are  women  who  are  the  victims  of  drink. 
And  those  who  have  fallen  into  social  vice.  What  can  be 
done  for  them  ?  They  are  our  sisters  still.  Once  they  were 
as  pure  as  snow.  For  them  Christ  died.  They  are  im- 
mortal. A  million  ages  hence  they  will  be  living,  conscious 
souls.  Are  they  not  worth  saving?  Can  you  be  saved,  O 
Christian  women,  if  you  gather  your  skirts  about  you  and 
refuse  to  look  in  pity  and  lend  a  helping  hand? 

Education  and  Agitation. 

The  temperance  crusade  of  the  Epworth  League  is  not 
dependent  for  its  effectiveness  on  pathetic  and  harrowing 
stories  of  the  havoc  wrought  by  drink.  It  is  a  thought- 
inspiring  campaign.  It  emphasizes  the  fact  that  temper- 
ance is  more  than  a  personal  matter.  It  insists  that  the 
problem  is  physical,  social,  political,  economical,  and  re- 
ligious. It  realizes  that  large  knowledge  and  careful  action 
are  required.  It  depends  not  so  much  upon  impulse  as 
upon  a  steady,  unwavering,  uncompromising  campaign 
against  the  whole  business,  in  every  form  and  disguise. 

We  need  an  accurate  knowledge  of  all  the  temperance 
movements  now  in  operation ;  an  understanding  of  their 
basal  principles,  and  the  purpose  of  co-operation  with  every 
one  of  them  so  far  as  they  are  working  in  the  direction  of 
the   ultimate   and    utter   annihilation    of    the    saloon. 

The  stages  of  the  Epworth  League  campaign,  as  of 
every  other  wise  temperance  campaign,  are,  first,  agitation, 
to  arouse  the  public  conscience;  second,  law-enforcement, 
to  make  operative  the  laws  as  they  now  stand ;  third,  edu- 
cation, to  make  possible  new  and  better  laws;  and  fourth, 
annihilation  of  the  traffic  by  local,  State,  and  National 
legislation. 

To  accomplish  these  results  we  must  understand  the 
present  situation.  We  must  make  a  study  of  the  liquor 
laws  of  our  own  community.  The  laws  relating  to  the 
hours  of  closing  the   saloons,  and  to  the  sale  of  liquor  to 

253 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

minors;  the  laws  relative  to  drug-stores  and  other  places 
not  commonly  counted  as  saloons,  but  where  liquor  is  sold. 
must  all  be  studied. 

The  Epworthian  as  an  individual,  and  the  Epworth 
League  as  an  organization,  can  never  afford  to  be  indifferent 
to  saloon  lawlessness.  Our  history  and  our  position  in  the 
community  compel  us  to  take  a  positive  stand.  Conse- 
quently we  are  exactly  at  our  proper  business  when  we 
make  protests  and  help  in  contests  for  a  sober  community. 
in  the  making  of  petitions  and  the  sending  of  committees 
to  city  councils,  and  other  legislative  and  executive  bodies, 
and,  in  short,  in  every  form  of  opposition  to  the  anarchy 
of  drink. 

Every  Epworthian  will,  of  course,  be  a  total  abstainer, 
and  will  stand  for  total  abstinence  in  social  life  by  precept 
as  well  as  by  example.  Every  Epworthian  will  vote  for 
the  principle  of  saloon  destruction  whenever  there  is  an 
opportunity  to  vote.  If  he  can,  he  will  make  the  oppor- 
tunity, when  the  politician  is  anxious  that  there  shall  be 
no  opportunity.  Epworthians  will  go  into  politics  not 
merely  as  Epworthians,  but  as  Christian  citizens. 

Temperance  Programs. 

I. 

If  there  has  been  no  recent  pledge-signing  movement 
in  your  Church  or  community,  make  this  a  total  abstinence 
pledge  service.  Get  a  supply  of  pledge  cards  ready-  Urge 
everybody  to  help  in  the  practical  means  of  temperance  ex- 
tension.    Distribute  the  pledges  beforehand,  if  possible. 

Song  service.  Two  or  three  temperance  hymns,  such 
as  "True-hearted,  whole-hearted ;"  "Courage,  brother,  do 
not  stumble;"  "I  must  tell  Jesus;"  "Yield  not  to  tempta- 
tion;" "Dare  to  do  right;"  "A  charge  to  keep  I  have;" 
"My  soul,  be  on  thy  guard ;"   "Dare  to  be  a  Daniel." 

The  leader  speaks  on  "Loyalty  to  principle,  as  illus- 
trated by  Daniel  and  his  companions." 

A  physician  speaks  on  "The  physical  value  of  total 
abstinence." 

A  teacher  speaks  on  "The  intellectual  value  of  total 
abstinence." 

254 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

A  business  man  speaks  on  "The  commercial  value  of 
total  abstinence." 

The  pastor  speaks  on  "The  spiritual  value  of  total 
abstinence." 

The  leader  presents  the  Total  Abstinence  Pledge,  and 
all  are  asked  to  sign  it. 

Brief  prayers  for  God's  help  in  opposing  intemperance ; 
for  grace  to  keep  the  pledge  just  signed;  for  strength  and 
willingness  to  help  others  give  up  evil  habits. 

The  League  benediction. 

II. 

A  "platform-meeting"  can  be  arranged,  with  three  or 
four  speakers  taking  up  various  phases  of  the  temperance 
reform.  It  will  be  a  help  if  prominent  speakers  can  be 
secured.  A  business  man,  a  public  official,  a  physician,  and 
a  lawyer  would  make  a  fine  quartet. 

Or,  take  the  speakers  from  occupations  directly  or  in- 
directly affected  by  the  liquor  business.  For  example: 
"What  I  think  about  drink,"  by  a  Christian  policeman; 
"Railroading  and  rum,"  by  a  locomotive  engineer;  "What 
saloons  do  to  schools  and  scholars,"  by  a  teacher;  "How 
to  kill  the  saloon  'pull'  in  politics,"  by  a  Christian  politician. 
The  policeman  and  the  politician  may  not  be  easy  to  get, 
but  they  are  worth  looking  for. 

Themes  for  Temperance  Meetings. 
Why  the  Saloon  Fears  the  Women. 
The  Destructiveness  of  Drink. 
Alcohol  and  Athletics. 
The  Worth  of  Temperance  Teaching. 
Total  Abstinence  in  the  Home. 
Alcohol  no  Medicine. 
Substitutes  for  the  Saloon. 
Total  Abstinence  and  Health. 

The  National  and  Personal  Price  of  the  Drink  Habit. 
Total  Abstinence  and  Brotherhood. 
The  Saloon  and  the  Soldier. 
Total  Abstinence  as  a  Business  Asset. 
255 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  Relation  of  Religion  to  Total  Abstinence. 
What  to  do  with  Dismantled  Distilleries. 

Christian   Citizenship. 

The  Epworthian  should  be  really  and  positively  a  citi- 
zen. Not  merely  a  voter,  but  a  365-day  citizen  in  his  pre- 
cinct, ward,  township,  city,  county,  State,  Nation.  He  will 
not  be  so  absorbed  in  the  contemplation  of  heaven  as  to 
forget  the  claims  and  importance  of  this  present  world. 

The  Epworthian  loves  his  country  with  a  real  and  vital 
patriotism.  For  that  reason  he  will  be  all  the  more  ready 
to  rebuke  unrighteousness  in  public  affairs. 

The  Epworthian  will  be  honest  in  his  citizenship.  If 
he  has  property  he  will  pay  taxes  on  it.  If  he  brings 
dutiable  goods  into  the  country  he  will  pay  the  tariff 
charges.  If  he  works  for  public  pay  he  will  give  the  full 
measure  of  service  for  his  salary.  If  he  has  a  vote,  he  will 
cast  it  as  a  Christian.  If  he  has  no  vote  he  will  use  his 
influence  as  a  Christian  with  those  who  have. 

The  Epworthian,  besides  keeping  the  law  himself,  has 
a  right  to  insist  that  others  must  keep  it.  The  people  who 
do  not  want  to  keep  the  law  are  the  very  ones  who  most 
need  law  enforcement.  It  is  folly  to  advocate  good  laws 
and  then  be  careless  about  their  enforcement.  Moreover, 
it  is  folly  to  expect  that  laws  will  be  enforced  unless  the 
law-keeping  folk  are  as  much  in  earnest  about  maintaining 
the  law  as  the  law-breakers  are  in  trying  to  evade  it. 

What  is  Christian  citizenship?  Why  should  the  Ep- 
worth  League  be  concerned  about  it? 

In  the  first  place,  it  is  gospel  government,  the  choosing 
of  Christians  to  make  and  interpret  and  administer  the  laws. 
It  stands  for  righteousness  in  legislation,  in  the  courts,  and 
in  every  executive  office  so  that  the  multiplied  activities 
of  public  life  shall  be  carried  on  without  corruption  and 
partisanship. 

The  acceptance  of  Christian  citizenship  as  a  part  of  the 
League's  program  of  social  service  is  a  confession.  By 
that  acceptance  we  admit  that  there  is  need  for  agitation, 
education,  and  combination,  to  lift  the  standard  of  citizen- 
ship in  this  country  from  the  low  level  of  self  and  party 

256 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

to  the  high  plane  of  Christian  duty.  But  if  it  is  a  confes- 
sion, it  is  also  a  resolve.  It  is  a  distinct  purpose  to  antag- 
onize the  saloon  element,  the  lawless  element,  the  willingly 
ignorant,  and  the  willingly  wicked  in  our  social  life.  There 
is  in  it  abundant  inspiration.  It  calls  us  to  just  such 
service  as  the  young  and  eager  have  longed   for. 

But  Christian  citizenship  is  not  first  of  all  a  campaign. 
It  begins  as  a  personal  readjustment.  The  Epworthian 
must  himself  be  a  Christian  citizen  before  he  can  wage  war- 
fare against  the  unchristian  element  in  the  city,  State,  or 
Nation.  That  means  Christianity  in  business.  That  means 
Christianity  made  practical  on  election-day.  That  means 
Christianity  in  every-day  work.  It  means  Christianity  in 
every  place,  high  or  low,  where  the  citizen  has  opportunity 
to  put  the  stamp  of  his  sort  of  citizenship  upon  the  life  of 
his  community. 

To  many  of  us  Christian  citizenship  is  a  challenge.  It 
says,  "First  cast  out  the  beam  out  of  thine  own  eye,  and 
then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy 
brother's  eye." 

In  order  to  accomplish  anything  for  Christian  citizen- 
ship it  is  necessary  to  believe  that  the  thing  is  possible. 
We  must  believe  that  machine  politicians  and  the  supporters 
of  the  saloons,  lawlessness,  and  those  who  rule  the  ignorant 
and  drive  them  to  the  polls  like  sheep,  can  all  be  success- 
fully opposed. 

But  successful  opposition  must  be  organized.  Usually 
the  forces  of  evil  are  compactly  arrayed.  They  know  what 
they  want,  and,  as  a  rule,  they  know  what  is  necessary  in 
order  to  get  it.  The  Christian  citizen  must  have  the  same 
sort  of  wisdom.  Agitation  which  does  not  lead  to  combina- 
tion for  actual  results  is  likely  to  make  theoretical  reformers 
and  practical  hypocrites  by  means  of  the  very  movement 
which  seemed  to  promise  so  much  for  better  things. 

Christian  citizenship  is  efficient  citizenship.  The  failure 
of  many  reform  movements  may  be  directly  traced  to  the 
fact  that  the  reformers  want  to  furnish  good  government, 
but  do  not  know  how.  So  the  great  need  is  that  Christian 
citizenship  shall  be  made  a  matter  of  training.  The  sub- 
jects concerning  which  everybody  needs  wider  and  more 
17  257 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

definite  education  are  almost  innumerable.  For  example,  a 
young  people's  society  in  New  Jersey,  in  its  declaration  of 
principles,  indicates  the  thing  that  Christian  citizens  need 
to  know:  "The  union  shall  strive  to  remove  from  the  city 
all  temptation  to  vice  not  lawfully  permitted.  It  shall  at- 
tempt to  check  the  purchasing  of  votes  and  other  abuses  con- 
nected with  the  ballot-box.  It  shall  urge  Christian  people 
to  attend  the  primaries  of  their  parties,  and  insist  upon  the 
nomination  for  office  of  men  who  are  in  sympathy  with  the 
object  of  this  organization.  It  shall  submit  to  the  proper 
authorities  evidence  to  convict  officers  who  are  recreant  to 
the  trust  committed  to  them  by  the  people.  The  union 
declines  to  embrace  a  political  party  or  support  any  indi- 
vidual nomination  for  office.  It  hopes  to  accomplish  these 
results  by  no  hasty  or  spasmodic  efforts  at  reform,  but  by 
arduous  caution  and  relentless  effort,  and  requests  the  aid 
of  good  citizens  in  the  furtherance  of  its  principles." 

Christian  citizenship  is  gospel  pity.  Because  we  are 
Christians,  the  lame  and  the  halt  and  the  blind  are  in  a 
special  way  our  responsibility.  The  work  of  caring  for 
them  is  a  sacred  business.  It  can  not  be  done  by  the 
chronic  office-seeker,  or  by  the  selfish  politician.  The  help- 
less element  in  the  population  needs  compassion,  tenderness, 
and  patient  care.  Only  Christian  citizens  can  provide  these 
things.  Christian  citizenship  is  gospel  courage.  There  are 
always  evils  which  desire  to  live,  but  ought  to  die.  To 
attempt  their  destruction  requires  courage.  It  is  easy  to 
say,  "Let  it  alone,"  but  it  is  also  cowardly,  and  a  coward 
is  next  door  to  a  traitor. 

The  Epworthian  is  under  compulsion  about  all  these 
things  because  he  is  a  Christian.  The  Christian  gospel  in- 
sists on  right  government.  It  insists  on  justice,  and  it  in- 
sists on  fearlessness  in  the  discharge  of  duty. 

All  Are  Citizens. 

Many  Epworthians  are  under  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
But  they  are  citizens.  More  are  not  voters.  But  they  are 
citizens.  And  the  vote  is  coming  their  way.  So  this  sub- 
ject interests  every  member  of  the  Epworth  League. 

Young  women  may  count  largely  in  all  work  of  higher 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

ideals  of  citizenship.  Their  work  may  not  be  so  public, 
but  it  can  be  positive  and  potent. 

Who  can  count  the  gains  secured  for  righteousness  in 
public  life  through  the  labors  of  the  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union.  Few  of  its  members  could  vote  until 
recently.  They  have  had  no  direct  political  influence.  But 
indirectly  they  have  been  a  tremendous  power  for  good 
in  the   last  twenty-five  years.      Ask   any   congressman. 

The  late  Colonel  Waring,  when  he  was  street  commis- 
sioner of  New  York,  did  a  great  work  for  good  citizenship. 
He  won  the  school  children  to  his  side.  They  organized 
volunteer  street-cleanliness  brigades.  They  were  active 
helpers  in  keeping  the  city's  streets  free  from  the  litter  of 
paper  and  fruit  rinds  and  other  accumulations.  A  clean 
street  is  one  step  toward  better  citizenship. 

Women  can  render  invaluable  service  in  connection 
with  the  schools.  Thousands  of  Epworthians  are  teachers. 
Each  of  them  has  more  opportunity  than  a  dozen  voters  to 
work  for  Christian  ideals  and  Christian  purposes  in  the 
citizens  of  to-morrow. 

And,  after  all,  the  home  is  the  chief  place  where  good 
citizenship  must  be  taught,  and  the  effects  of  bad  citizen- 
ship counteracted.  True,  the  work  of  the  home  is  often 
fearfully  attacked  by  outside  influences.  But  if  the  home 
did  not  stand  for  Christian  citzenship,  how  long  would  the 
other  forces  be  able  to  keep  at  work? 

The  Christian  Citizen. 

The  Christian  is  the  only  full-fledged  citizen.  He  owes 
allegiance  to  a  greater  country  than  this.  "Our  citizenship 
is  in  heaven."  But  the  greater  includes  the  less ;  a  man 
who  is  a  good  citizen  of  the  United  States  must  of  neces- 
sity be  a  good  citizen  of  Ohio,  if,  for  example,  Ohio  is  his 
home.  A  man  who  is  a  good  citizen  of  heaven  is  always 
for  that  reason  a  better  citizen  of  earth. 

The  Christian  will  exercise  two  kinds  of  power  as  a 
citizen. 

1.  Negative  power.  He  will  always  and  everywhere 
veto  whatever  conflicts  with  the  Constitution  of  the  United 

259 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

States  and  constitution  of  heaven.     And  sometimes  v-e-t-o 
spells  vote  ! 

He  will  not  vote  to  expel  Christ  from  Gadara,  even 
though  he  is  interested  in  the  swine  industry.  He  is  more 
interested  in  men. 

He  will  not  think  that  his  work  as  a  citizen  is  all  done 
on  election  day  or  ratification  night. 

He  will  not  accept  his  political  issues  from  the  saloon, 
the  spoilsman,  or  the  demagogue.  He  will  help  to  make 
issues. 

2.  Positive  power.  Some  things  the  Christian  citizen 
will  always  urge  and  promote  by  every  means  in  his  power. 

He  will  insist  on  the  recognition  of  the  Christian  ideal 
for  the  State.  When  he  needs  to  vote  as  a  Christian  he 
will  not  ask  what  party  emblem  adorns  his  ticket.  There 
are  some  things  on  which  Christians  can  not  divide — and 
stay  Christians. 

He  will  urge  the  need  of  civic  righteousness.  He  be- 
lieves that  the  laws  of  Christ  can  be  applied  to  National 
and  State  and  municipal  affairs.  He  believes  that  the  com- 
munity, as  well  as  the  individual,  should  be  set  apart  as 
sacred,  "sanctified." 

He  will  put  righteousness  above  all  tariff  questions,  and 
the  law  of  God  above  the  politician's  law  of  expediency. 

He  will  always  accept  the  supremacy  of  conscience 
where  questions  of  moral  are  involved. 

He  will  veto  all  selfish  attempts  to  enrich  the  individual 
at  the  expense  of  the  State. 

That  will  put  him  always  against  the  saloon,  wbich 
fosters  vice,  encourages  crime,  and  makes  necessary  a  costly 
and  elaborate  protective  machinery — courts,  jails,  police, 
and  asylums. 

It  will  put  him  against  every  form  of  anarchy,  such  as 
bribe-giving  and  bribe-taking,  corrupt  legislation,  inefficient 
men  in  public  office,  the  use  of  office  as  a  road  to  wealth. 

He  will  veto  all  that  endangers  the  Sabbath  by  making 
it  merely  a  weekly  holiday.  That  attitude  lost  the  Sabbath 
in  France,  and  is  threatening  it  here. 

He  will  not  vote  for  immoral  men  to  represent  him  in 
any  place  of  public  trust. 

260 


SOCIAL  SERVICE. 

Some  Things  to  Emphasize. 

The  politics  of  this  world  will  never  be  purified  by  the 
ungodly. 

A  Christian  has  the  same  rights  as  any  other  man  at 
the  ballot-box,  but  he  has  higher  obligations. 

It  is  easy  to  be  fervent  in  advocacy  of  Christian  citizen- 
ship on  Sunday,  but  Christian  citizenship  is  most  needed 
when  the  churches  are  not  open. 

Do  not  be  willing  to  take  election  issues  from  the  saloon- 
keeper, the  office-seeker,  or  the  politician.  The  office-holder 
is  a  minister  of  God  as  much  as  is  the  preacher.  He  ought 
not  to  complain  when  he  is  reminded  of  that  fact.  The 
Christian's  besetting  sin  is  his  once-in-a-while-ness.  He 
thinks  that  one  election  carried  for  reform  is  to  usher  in 
the  millennium. 

Preachers  ought  to  keep  out  of  politics  if  they  can.  But 
most  of  the  time  they  can  not,  if  they  are  going  to  be  true 
preachers. 

There  is  a  great  difference  between  citizenship  and 
partisanship. 

Do  not  be  discouraged  because  the  evils  you  attack  seem 
to  grow.  Remember  the  slave  business,  and  how  it  finally 
died. 

Sometimes  ask  yourself  the  question  whether  it  is  part 
of  a  citizen's  duty  to  enforce  the  laws. 


261 


CHAPTER  X 

CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

The  Fourth  Department  is  quite  as  important  to  the  sus- 
tained life  and  usefulness  of  the  Chapter  as  any  other. 
A  group  of  Methodist  young  people  which  ignores  hoth 
its  own  intellectual  and  social  demands,  and  those  of  the 
community,  will  become  narrow-minded,  biased,  and,  if  the 
group  holds  together  long,  which  is  quite  unlikely,  it  will 
become  a  positive  detriment  to  the  Church. 

Our  religion  is  essentially  one  of  intelligence  and  fellow- 
ship. Christianity  quickens  all  our  powers,  and  enlarges 
all  our  capacities,  these  quite  as  surely  as  any  others.  So 
the  provision  for  their  nurture  and  guidance  is  an  eminently 
proper  part  of  the  Epworth  League  scheme. 

In  1913  the  Board  of  Control  changed  the  name  of  the 
Fourth  Department  from  "Social  and  Literary  Work"  to 
"Culture  and  Recreation."  The  change  was  significant  of 
the  enlarging  recognition  being  given  to  recreation  as  a 
positive  element  in  the  religious  training  of  young  people. 

On  the  intellectual  side  the  department  seeks  to  make 
our  denominational  relation  one  of  intelligent  loyalty.  It 
puts  the  doctrines,  polity,  and  history  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  understandingly  before  its  members.  It 
would  develop  a  proper  denominational  self-respect,  as  far 
removed  from  pride  as  it  is  from  the  attitude  of  apology 
and  servility. 

Then,  the  abounding  mental  life  of  the  young  people 
is  provided  for,  in  lectures  and  lecture  courses,  libraries, 
reading-rooms,  literary  exercises,  debates,  study  classes, 
reading  circles,  and  other  popular  and   appropriate  ways. 

The  social  side  of  life  is  given  full  recognition.  All 
forms  of  proper  pleasure  and  amusement  are  welcomed, 
and  the  department  must  strive  to  emphasize  the  social 
nature  of  the  Christian  life  by  all  possible  means. 

26-2 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

Then,  there  are  duties  which  must  naturally  fall  to  the 
share  of  this  department:  the  seeking  of  new  members,  the 
welcoming  of  strangers,  the  musical  work  of  the  Chapter, 
flowers  for  Church  and  League  room  decoration,  ushers  for 
the  Chapter  meetings,  badges,  banners,  and  general  decora- 
tions. 

The  department  is  properly  charged  with  the  work  of 
circulating  The  Eptvorth  Herald,  which  is  the  official  maga- 
zine-newspaper of  the  movement,  and  whose  wide  circula- 
tion is  one  of  the  essential  elements  in  the  enlarging  of  the 
Epworth  League  idea. 

Then  the  Fourth  Department  may  be  a  means  of  inter- 
esting and  winning  new  people.  We  have  not  done  enough 
when  we  have  encouraged  and  nurtured  the  social  and  in- 
tellectual elements  in  the  lives  of  our  own  young  people. 
The  work  of  this  department  may  accomplish  a  notable 
spiritual  service  by  attracting  the  unsaved  young  people 
of  the  community  to  associations  in  which  it  will  be  pos- 
sible to  lead  them  to  Christ. 

And,  before  we  can  do  great  things,  even  for  the  young 
people  already  associated  with  the  League  and  the  Church, 
we  must  provide  social  and  intellectual  opportunities  that 
will  satisfy  them  and  keep  them  from  venturesome  excur- 
sions into  doubtful  territory  in  search  of  the  life  which 
they  crave  and  which  is  their  right. 

The  Fourth  Department  can  do  all  this.  It  can  provide 
an  entirely  normal  and  delightful  social  atmosphere,  and 
minister  to  all  the  mental  longings  and  aspirations  of  young 
life.  It  can  recommend  the  Christian  life  as  a  life  of  joy 
and  gladness;  a  life  of  intellectual  as  well  as  spiritual 
growth;  a  life  in  which  every  right  desire  and  worthy  am- 
bition is  satisfied  and  encouraged.  Thus  our  own  young 
people  will  be  held  for  Christ  and  the  Church,  and  those 
that  have  thus  far  been  on  the  outside  may  discover  the 
beauty  and  winsomeness  of  the  life  that  is  in  Christ. 

Culture. 
If  the  Chapter  has  a  regular  monthly  meeting  and  pro- 
vision is  made  for  literary   features  in  connection  with  it, 
the   preparation  of  each   month's   program    is   a   matter   of 

203 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

much  importance.  There  is  more  difficulty  in  beginning 
to  make  a  program  than  in  finishing  it.  No  such  thing  as 
slipshod  work  can  prosper.  Numbers  put  on  the  program 
as  stop-gaps  or  time-killers  will  kill  interest  and  stop  at- 
tendance. 

As  nearly  as  possible,  this  department  should  utilize 
the  talent  of  every  member.  Few  people  can  do  everything, 
but  everybody  can  do  something.  Some  are  more  capable 
than  others,  but  the  others  need  all  the  more  encourage- 
ment. The  department  is  not  an  entertainment  bureau 
alone.     It  is  a  training  school. 

There  is  scarcely  a  Chapter  in  the  entire  League  with- 
out a  large  amount  of  undeveloped  musical  ability.  It  is 
better  to  develop  this  one  talent  than  to  go  outside  for 
better  music. 

Build  programs  on  themes  of  living  interest.  An  Ep- 
worth  League  literary  meeting  is  no  place  for  dreary  essays 
or  technical  discussions.  The  more  nearly  you  can  come 
to  the  daily  life  and  thought  of  your  members,  the  more 
surely  their  interest  in  the  work  will  be  maintained. 

An  effective  plan  for  enlarging  the  number  of  available 
books  at  the  disposal  of  the  Chapter  members  is  suggested 
by  the  work  of  a  Methodist  preacher  who  died  a  few  years 
ago.  He  made  a  catalogue  of  his  private  library,  and  ex- 
tended the  use  of  the  library  to  all  the  members  of  his 
Church,  guiding  them  in  their  choice  of  books,  recommend- 
ing the  best  new  books,  and  in  every  way  encouraging  them 
to  more  and  better  reading.  Why  could  not  the  Chapter 
members  "pool"  their  own  jjrivate  libraries,  and  prepare 
a  catalogue  of  the  general  library  thus  made  available? 
Each  member,  no  doubt,  will  have  many  books  which  others 
would  be  glad  to  read.  By  the  pooling  arrangement,  all 
who  go  into  it  will  be  at  once  borrowers  and  lenders,  and 
b}'  the  use  of  a  simple  system  of  records  it  will  be  easy 
to  keep  track  of  the  books.  Ordinarily,  the  loan  of  a  book 
is  not  recorded,  and  few  people  would  care  to  make  a  record 
of  the  fact  that  they  had  loaned  a  book  to  a  friend,  espe- 
cially if  the  friend  knew  it.  But,  by  the  joint  arrange- 
ment, everybody  will  recognize  that  a  record  is  necessary, 

264 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

rand    fewer  books   will   be   forgotten   or   tbeir   return   over- 
looked than  by  the  haphazard  method. 

A  Reading  College. — The  Chautauqua  system  and  other 
like  plans  of  consecutive  reading  have  made  us  familiar 
with  the  advantages  of  this  method  of  study.  But  many 
people  hesitate  to  commit  themselves  to  a  long  course,  or 
to  a  course  involving  a  large  number  of  books.  And  yet 
these  same  people  would  be  glad  of  some  concerted  plan 
of  systematic  reading.  Why  not  use  their  interest  as  a 
feeder  for  Epworth  League  activities  and  at  the  same  time 
help  the  individuals  themselves?  There  are  many  ways 
of  doing  this  ?     A  simple  one  is  as  follows : 

Make  a  list  of  available  books  worth  reading.  Either 
through  a  library  census  of  the  Chapter,  or  by  a  request 
from  the  pastor  or  some  one  else,  endeavor  to  discover  in 
the  possession  of  members  or  friends  books  which  will  be 
gladly  loaned  to  the  "college."  Require  each  member  to 
read  at  least  four  of  these  books  during  the  year.  This 
is  the  smallest  number  which  should  be  set  as  a  standard, 
while  the  more  ambitious  members  ma}^  read  as  many  more 
as  they  choose.  This  plan  does  not  require  that  the  college 
shall  hold  regular  meetings.  It  is  merely  a  method  of  pro- 
viding every  member  with  reading  that  is  worth  while. 

Include  every  member  of  the  Chapter  in  this  arrange- 
ment. Make  it  so  flexible  that  every  member  can  be  suited. 
If  there  are  no  books  on  your  list  to  satisfy  some  particu- 
larly exacting  member,  find  out  what  he  wants  and  get  the 
books  in  some  other  way.  Do  not  give  up  the  plan  until 
every  member  of  the  Chapter  has  been  enrolled  as  a  member 
of  the  college.  In  order  to  keep  up  the  interest,  take  five 
or  ten  minutes  at  the  monthly  business  meeting  to  ask  the 
question,  "What  are  you  reading?"  Vary  it  sometimes  by 
asking,  "What  have  you  read  this  month  that  has  par- 
ticularly impressed  you?"  Call  the  time  given  to  this 
exercise  at  the  business  meeting,  "Reading  College  Mo- 
ments," or  some  other  appropriate  name.  Toward  the  close 
of  the  season  have  a  Commencement  of  your  reading  col- 
lege as  one  of  your  Chapter  socials.  Some  of  the  features 
of  a  regular  college  Commencement  can  be  copied  in  these 
exercises.     Have  a  salutatorian,  a  valedictorian,  and  two  or 

2G5 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

three  brief  orations.  The  speakers,  of  course,  will  use 
their  winter's  reading  as  a  basis  of  their  addresses.  If  a 
certificate  of  a  year's  work  in  the  college  is  thought  desir- 
able, it  can  be  arranged  easily,  and  copies  of  the  document 
given  out  after  the  fashion  of  diplomas  at  the  close  of  the 
Commencement  exercises. 

The  Book  Club. — The  book  club  is  admirably  adapted 
to  Epworth  League  work.  It  does  not  require  any  specified 
number  of  members.  A  little  group  of  people  who  desire 
to  read  certain  books,  but  do  not  care  to  purchase  them, 
can  agree  among  themselves  that  each  one  will  buy  one 
book  on  the  list.  Then  each  member  of  the  club  has  the 
privilege,  after  having  read  his  own  book,  of  reading  in 
turn  the  books  of  the  other  members.  This  same  plan  can 
be  adojDted  in  the  case  of  magazines,  so  that  each  member 
may  have  the  opportunity  of  reading  a  half-dozen  maga- 
zines while  spending  money  for  a  single  one.  One  essential 
requirement  of  all  such  work  is  that  each  member  shall  be 
loyal  to  the  plan  of  the  club,  respecting  the  rights  of  the 
other  members,  observing  the  time  limits  carefully,  and 
practicing  the  Golden  Rule  in  every  detail  of  the  club's 
work.  If  a  slip  of  paper  is  pasted  on  the  inside  of  the 
front  cover  of  the  book  or  magazine,  a  record  of  readers 
can  be  made  without  trouble.  Put  on  this  slip  the  names 
of  all  members  of  the  club.  Each  member  will  check  his 
own  name  when  reading  the  book,  and  will  then  pass  the 
volume  on  to  the  next  one  in  order.  The  last  reader  on  the 
list  will  check  his  name  after  reading,  and  will  return  the 
book  or  magazine  to  its  original  purchaser. 

Informal  Reading  Circles. — In  every  Chapter  there  are 
groups  of  people  who  are  interested  in  the  same  general 
subjects.  The  reading  done  by  these  groups  can  be  made 
to  link  them  and  their  work  to  the  Chapter.  Whatever 
the  general  subject  of  their  reading,  they  will  have  some 
flexible  system  about  it,  and  members  of  the  group  only  may 
be  designated  as  readers,  and  recorded.  If  persons  who 
are  not  members  of  the  Chapter  are  interested  in  these 
voluntary  reading  circles,  use  this  seemingly  slight  link  that 
binds  them  to  those  who  are  members  as  a  means  of  winning 
them  to  the  Chapter  itself.     Unless  there  are  insuperable 

268 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

difficulties  growing  out  of  other  religious  affiliations,  seek 
to  enroll  all  the  memhers  of  these  voluntary  reading  circles 
in  the  Epworth  League  Chapter.  You  have  already  found 
one  point  of  common  interest,  and  others  will  thereafter 
suggest  themselves  almost  unawares. 

Reading  Rooms. — There  are  many  Chapters  so  located 
that  a  room  which  will  comhine  the  uses  of  parlor,  library, 
reading  and  writing  room,  would  be  of  the  greatest  possible 
usefulness.  When  such  a  room  is  set  apart,  a  committee 
of  the  Fourth  Department  should  be  put  in  charge  of  it. 
It  can  be  provided  with  magazines  and  newspapers  at  very 
small  cost.  Members  of  the  Chapter  or  of  the  Church  will 
gladly  give  the  current  magazines,  if  the  Reading-room 
Committee  will  wait  a  week  or  so  after  the  magazines  are 
issued  before  calling  for  them.  A  table  equipped  with 
writing  materials ;  a  couch,  and  an  easy-chair  or  two  would 
give  the  room  a  homelike  and  restful  look.  In  these  days 
when  reproductions  of  great  pictures  are  both  cheap  and 
good,  the  walls  need  not  be  bare. 

When  a  room  is  furnished  and  equipped,  throw  it  open 
to  the  young  men  of  the  town.  Advertise  it.  Make  it  a 
popular  rallying  place.  Do  not  devise  too  many  rules,  the 
only  important  one  being  that  each  one  using  the  room 
must  respect  the  rights  of  all  the  others.  A  member  of 
the  committee  should  be  assigned  to  have  charge  of  the 
room  each  evening,  different  ones  taking  this  responsibility 
turn  and  turn  about.  Properly  managed,  this  Epworth 
League  reading-room  will  prove  in  many  places  one  of  the 
most  attractive  features  of  the  Literary  Committee's  work. 

Cultural  Activities. 
A  Home  Assembly. — The  summer  assembly  idea  is  prob- 
ably permanently  £xed  in  the  minds  of  the  American  people. 
To 'read  the  list  of  such  assemblies,  one  would  suppose  that 
everybody  in  the  whole  country  attended  one  or  more  of 
these  gatherings  every  summer.  But,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
the  great  majority  of  people  do  not  yet  go  to  the  Chau- 
tauquas.  For  the  benefit  of  the  stay-at-homes,  an  assembly 
in  the  home  Church  may  well  provide  a  very  profitable 
form  of  summer  activity  in  the  Fourth  Department.      Ar- 

207 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

range  for  a  ten  days'  session,  modeled  on  the  regular 
Chautauqua  plan,  except  that  in  most  cases  day  sessions 
will  need  to  be  omitted.  It  is  a  popular  delusion  that 
people  will  not  go  into  public  gatherings  during  the  hot 
months.  It  is  perfectly  true  that  they  will  not  go  into  a 
stuffy,  badly-lighted,  poorly-ventilated  church.  But  the 
church  need  not  be  stuffy,  nor  badly  lighted,  nor  poorly 
ventilated,  and  when  care  is  exercised  in  this  regard,  a 
church  is  as  cool  as  any  other  sort  of  room.  Of  course, 
if  an  open-air  spot  is  available  and  free  from  disturbance, 
that  will  be  even  better.  The  serious  difficulty  in  arrang- 
ing this  home  assembly,  of  course,  is  the  list  of  speakers. 
As  befits  the  season  of  the  year,  the  program  should  be 
largely  light  and  entertaining,  rather  than  solid  and  in- 
structive. Neighboring  pastors  and  other  capable  individ- 
uals will  usually  be  glad  to  give  one  or  two  days'  service 
in  such  a  cause.  The  expenses  need  not  be  large,  and  in 
the  general  suspension  of  Church  and  social  activities  dur- 
ing the  summer  months,  a  home  assembly  is  likely  to  attract 
much  more  attention  than  it  would  at  any  other  season  of 
the  year. 

Lecture  Courses. — Many  Chapters  make  an  annual  lec- 
ture course  a  very  successful  feature  of  their  work.  When 
properly  managed,  nothing  is  more  delightful.  And  noth- 
ing adds  more  to  the  reputation  of  the  Chapter  for  ability 
to  manage  things  and  for  discernment  of  the  needs  of  the 
community  than  a  good  lecture  course. 

Four  things  are  all-important:  Really  good  speakers, 
a  comfortable  auditorium,  low  prices,  and  vigorous  adver- 
tising. 

The  success  of  the  course  depends  more  upon  the  selec- 
tion of  the  lecturers  than  upon  any  other  one  thing.  And 
the  selection  of  the  lecturers  largely  resolves  itself  into  the 
question  of  what  not  to  get. 

As  a  rule,  avoid  lecture-sermons.  The  lecture  will  not 
be  spoiled,  but  helped,  by  having  a  definite  moral  purpose, 
although  an  occasional  lecture  which  is  nothing  more  than 
an  hour's  innocent  enjoyment  is  greatly  appreciated.  But 
the  lecture  platform  is  not  the  place  for  preaching,  and 
the  man  who  merely  takes  a  sermon  and  detaches  it  from 

268 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

its  text  will  not  be  invited  to  lecture  at  the  same  place  a 
second  time. 

Beware  of  lecturers  who  are  persistent  blowers  of  their 
own  trumpets.  The  lecturer  who  is  a  good  advertiser  is 
very  likely  to  be  an  indifferent  speaker. 

Do  not  overlook  near-by  talent.  There  are  people  in 
every  neighborhood  who  would  be  welcomed  and  highly 
esteemed  if  they  were  strangers.  But,  of  course,  it  will 
not  do  to  sacrifice  attractiveness  and  effectiveness  merely 
for  the  sake  of  complimenting  some  local  aspirant. 

Avoid  the  man  who  bases  his  claim  to  an  audience  upon 
the  solitary  fact  that  he  has  traveled  in  far  lands.  Many 
travelers  would  have  conferred  a  distinct  favor  upon  their 
own  community  if  they  had  indefinitely  prolonged  their  trav- 
els. The  globe-trotting  bore  who  can  not  utter  a  sentence 
without  prefacing  it  with  "When  I  was  in  Rome,"  or  "The 
last  time  I  saw  Mr.  Chamberlain,"  or  "Did  I  ever  tell  you 
of  my  experience  in  Singapore?"  is  an  unmitigated  nuisance. 
Do  not  encourage  him  by  asking  him  to  lecture.  He  will 
lecture  sufficiently  on  all  occasions  without  being  given  a 
special  evening. 

Steer  clear  of  clowns  and  buffoons.  Pleasantry  is  de- 
sirable, and  a  good  joke  is  a  healthy  as  well  as  a  delightful 
rarity,  but  we  may  wisely  leave  the  grotesque  and  the 
farcical  to  those  who  have  far  more  experience  with  that 
sort  of  thing  than  any  Epworthian  should  desire  for  him- 
self. 

Aim  at  a  course  that  shall  be  varied  and  that  shall  pro- 
vide for  every  taste.  If  you  are  to  have  five  entertainments, 
which  is  about  the  average,  the  course  may  be  divided  as 
follows:  Three  lectures,  one  special  program  by  home 
talent,  if  possible,  and  one  concert  by  the  choir,  or  by  a 
group  of  students  from  some  nearby  college,  or  by  local 
talent. 

The  matter  of  the  auditorium  merits  consideration. 
Most  of  the  entertainments  will  be  given  during  the  colder 
season,  and  it  is  important  that  the  public  shall  be  satisfied 
at  the  outset  that  the  auditorium  will  be  comfortable  in 
cold  weather.  A  cold  room  on  the  night  of  the  first  lecture 
will  kill  the  course,  and  it  ought  to.     People  may  be  willing 

269 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

to  attend  a  church  which  is  not  property  warmed,  because 
they  feel  impressed  by  a  sense  of  duty.  But  it  is  nobody's 
duty  to  patronize  a  lecture  course  unless  he  enjoys  it. 
Therefore,  look  well  to  the  heating  and  ventilating. 

In  a  course  of  five  numbers  every  effort  should  be  made 
to  keep  the  price  under  one  dollar  for  the  course.  In  some 
places,  owing  to  the  cost  of  talent,  it  may  be  necessary  to 
charge  a  dollar  for  the  course,  but  many  successful  courses 
have  been  arranged  and  all  expenses  paid  with  fifty  cents 
as  the  price  of  the  course  tickets  and  twenty  cents  for 
single  admission.  In  case  two  of  the  evenings  are  provided 
for  by  home  talent  or  by  amateurs  from  some  college  near 
at  hand,  the  expenses  for  these  evenings  will  not  be  very 
high.  Two  or  three  hundred  tickets  will  provide  funds 
sufficient  to  pay  all  incidental  expenses  and  leave  a  good 
fee  for  each  of  the  lecturers.  EKo  not  try  to  make  money. 
A  lecture  course  which  is  an  enterprise  for  financial  profit 
is  too  serious  an  undertaking  to  be  completely  successful. 
It  will  be  sufficient  if  the  committee  "comes  out  even."  If 
the  expenses  of  the  course  can  be  paid  without  drawing 
on  the  League  treasury,  the  Lecture  Committee  will  deserve 
the  thanks  of  the  Chapter  and  the  community. 

Short  Suggestions  for  Cultural  Programs. 

A  Biblical  Hall  of  Fame.— Shepherd  Chapter,  of  Fair- 
field, Til.,  held  a  very  interesting  and  profitable  literary 
meeting,  at  which  it  created  a  Hall  of  Fame  composed  of 
ten  of  the  greatest  men  of  the  Bible. 

Announcements  were  made  two  weeks  in  advance,  in 
order  that  each  member  might  prepare  a  list  of  those  he 
deemed  the  ten  greatest  characters,  in  order  of  their  im- 
portance. 

At  the  meeting,  nominations  were  made  for  first  place, 
and  from  these  nominations  by  vote  the  Chapter  decided  the 
name  that  should  be  placed  first  upon  the  list.  This  plan 
was  continued  until  the  list  was  complete. 

So  much  interest  and  enthusiasm  was  manifested  that 
two  weeks  later  a  similar  selection  of  the  ten  greatest 
women  was  made,  and  later  the  ten  most  popular  books  of 
the  Bible  were  selected. 

270 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

A  "Discipline"  Evening. — Many  Chapters  will  find  a 
"Discipline"  social  a  very  profitably  spent  evening. 

We  know  much  too  little  of  the  Constitution  and  insti- 
tutions of  our  Methodism  and  of  the  way  in  which  its  affairs 
are  conducted. 

Let  the  pastor,  or  some  other  person  who  is  thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  Discipline,  arrange  the  program. 

Questions  may  be  numbered  and  read  audibly,  giving  a 
stated  time  for  the  answer  to  each  question,  to  be  written 
on  paper.  This  will  create  discussion  and  spread  intelli- 
gence concerning  the  things  which  every  Methodist  ought 
to  know.  Or,  if  it  is  a  Chapter  whose  members  are  fairly 
well-informed,  the  spelling-school  plan  may  be  used. 

Hints  for  Literary  Evenings. — Among  the  legislators: 
a  talk  about  the  making  of  laws,  by  a  city  alderman,  a  State 
legislator,  or  a  lawyer.     Close  with  a  question-box. 

Notable  things  in  the  magazines:  half  a  dozen  careful 
summaries  of  striking  and  important  articles  from  the  cur- 
rent  month's    periodicals. 

State  nights :  an  evening  with  the  history  and  literature 
of  your  State. 

Why  I  love  my  country :  a  symposium  on  patriotism. 

Short  story  contest:  the  reading  of  five  or  six  original 
stories,  written  by  members  of  the  Chapter.  The  best  story 
selected  by  ballot.  Vary  this  by  substituting  verse  instead 
of  stories. 

Debates:  for  these  there  is  constantly  provided  an  un- 
limited amount  of  new  material. 

Favorites  of  the  old  readers :  an  evening  of  readings 
from  the  old  Sixth  Readers  hidden  away  in  attics  and 
secondhand  shops. 

Quotations:  a  medley  of  favorite  sayings,  giving  in  each 
case  the  author,  place  of  occurrence,  and  a  brief  suggestion 
of  the  context. 

Book  reviews :  brief  descriptions  and  characterizations 
of  the  books  newly  published,  possibly  with  the  reading 
of  extracts  from  the  books  considered. 

"An  Evening  with  the  Bells"  will  prove  a  very  enjoy- 
able affair.  The  program  explains  itself:  Essay  on  bells; 
piano  duet,  "Yuletide  Bells;"  reading,  "The  Bell  of  Atri ;" 

271 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

chorus,  "Jingle  Bells;"  reading,  "Curfew  shall  not  ring  to- 
night;" solo,  "Ring  the  bells  of  heaven;"  reading,  "The 
Inchcape  Rock;"  chorus,  "Hear  dein  bells;"  recitation, 
"Ring  out,  wild  bells."  A  large  bell  of  colored  paper  over 
a  wire  netting,  inside  of  which  is  a  lighted  candle,  suspended 
from  the  ceiling  together  with  some  evergreens  and  plants, 
will  give  the  room  an  inviting  appearance. 

A  Congress  of  Nations. — The  speakers  representing 
famous  personages  of  various  countries,  and  making 
speeches  in  keeping  with  the  character  represented.  Na- 
tional costumes  may  be  used. 

A  Congress  of  Notables. — The  same  idea  as  the  above, 
with  the  characters  taken  from  the  living  notabilities  of  our 
own  land. 

The  Inside  of  Big  Enterprises. — Descriptions,  b}r  people 
who  know  what  they  are  talking  about,  of  the  inside  work- 
ings of  such  enterprises  as  a  department  store,  a  newspaper, 
a  bank,  a  railway,  a  steamship,  a  hotel,  an  oil  refinery,  a 
locomotive  works,  an  electric  power  station,  and  scores  of 
others.  Utilize  the  industries  near  at  hand,  and  enlist  the 
help  of  experts. 

Studies  in  Methodist  Methods. — One  or  more  evenings 
on  our  Church,  what  it  does  and  how  it  does  it. 

The  Red  Cross  in  Peace  and  War. — A  survey  of  its 
beautiful  and  blessed  activities. 

The  Life  History  of  Familiar  Words. — A  co-operative 
program  in  which  several  members  will  give  the  romance 
and  poetry  which  is  in  the  story  of  many  of  our  commonest 
words. 

A  Series  of  Evenings  on  "Choosing  a  Life  Work." — Get 
the  mechanic,  the  professional  man,  the  farmer,  the  min- 
ister, the  journalist,  the  drummer  to  tell  why  they  choose 
their  work  and  to  give  stories  which  illustrate  its  peculi- 
arities. 

The  children  of  Dickens:  with  readings  from  "Old 
Curiosity  Shop,"  "Dombey  and  Son,"  "Nicholas  Nickelby," 
"David  Copperfield,"  "Hard  Times,"  and  others. 

The  women  of  Shakespeare:  five  or  six  papers,  each 
discussing  one  of  the  poet's  famous  creations. 

Tennyson's  religious  poems:  readings,  songs,  "Crossing 
272 


CULTURE  AND   RKCREATION. 

the  Bar,"  and  an  appreciation  of  Tennyson  as  a  religious 
teacher  and  leader. 

The  great  hymns  of  the  Reformation  and  the  evan- 
gelical revival. 

Hymns  of  the  ancient  Church:  their  story,  their  value, 
and  their  present  power. 

Imaginary  journeys:  to  famous  places  and  people,  and 
to  historic  scenes. 

An  evening  with  the  newspapers:  how  they  are  made, 
and  why. 

Shakespeare  as  a  humorist:  a  study  of  the  lighter  side 
of  the  dramatist,  illustrated  by  illustrative  readings  from 
the  plays. 

The  Romance  of  Geography. — Give  one  night  to  Amer- 
ica, others  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  Ask  various  members 
to  tell  some  unfamiliar  things  in  the  story  of  Columbus, 
the  Cabots,  Ponce  de  Leon,  Hudson,  Captain  Cook,  Marcus 
Whitman,  Lewis  and  Clark,  Pere  Marquette,  La  Salle, 
Coronado,  Fremont,  and  other  explorers.  The  field  and  its 
material  are  both  inexhaustible. 

Evenings  With  Experts. — Business  men  may  talk  about 
business,  the  inside  workings  of  their  work.  A  physician 
could  talk  about  the  care  of  the  health,  etc.  The  lawyer 
could  talk  about  some  of  the  legal  terms  used  so  often,  but 
not  understood.  The  teacher  could  tell  of  the  work  of  the 
school  from  her  standpoint.  You  could  find  many  others 
willing  to  help  in  this  good  work.     Be  sure  they  are  experts. 

Interdenominational  Evenings. — A  series  of  interdenom- 
inational evenings  can  be  made  seasons  of  delightful  fellow- 
ship. One  year  arrange  a  series  in  which  representatives 
of  the  various  denominations  shall  explain  and  illustrate 
the  peculiarities  of  doctrine  and  policy  which  distinguish 
their  respective  Churches.  The  next  year  have  a  similar 
series,  but  instead  of  asking  each  speaker  to  discuss  his 
own  Church,  ask  him  to  discuss  some  other.  For  instance, 
ask  a  Presbyterian  to  speak  on  the  subject,  "What  I  like 
about  Methodists."  The  next  evening  of  the  series  a  Meth- 
odist can  be  asked  to  reciprocate,  and  so  on  through  the 
list  of  available  speakers  in  the  community.  It  is  better 
to  emphasize  the  likable  tilings  in  other  denominations  than 
18  273 


THE   EFFICIENT  EP  WORTH  IAN. 

to  exhibit  in  life-size  fashion  the  things  that  are  not  so 
attractive.  It  will  be  found,  when  three  or  four  repre- 
sentatives of  as  many  denominations  have  told  what  they 
like  about  each  other,  that  after  all  there  are  more  points 
of  resemblance  than  of  difference  among  the  great  Christian 
denominations. 

Short  Studies  of  Great  Businesses. — This  can  be  given 
in  a  series  of  evening  gatherings.  Have  people  who  know 
their  work  tell  about  it.  Let  a  member  of  the  firm  of  a 
department  store  tell  about  its  inside  workings.  Other 
topics  that  could  be  discussed  might  be  the  newspaper 
business,  an  electric  power  house,  a  hotel,  a  bank,  a  candy 
store,  a  photograph  gallery,  a  railway  station,  etc. 

A  Congress  of  Nations. — The  speakers  representing 
famous  personages  of  various  countries  and  making  speeches 
in  keeping  with  the  character  represented.  National  cos- 
tumes may  be  used.  Choose  characters  that  can  be  repre- 
sented creditably  by  the  talent  available.  For  instance: 
Paderewski,  Kipling,  Sun  Yat  Sen,  Huerta,  Tagore,  Mar- 
coni, Grenfell,  Roosevelt,  Sir  Thomas  Lipton. 

A  Congress  of  Notables. — The  same  idea  as  above;  the 
characters  taken  from  the  living  notabilities  of  our  own 
land,  such  as  Wilson,  Bryan,  Gov.  Hanly,  James  Whitcomb 
Riley,  Jane  Addams,  Judge  Lindsay,  Andrew  Carnegie, 
Edison,  Gen.  Fred.  Funston,  Orville  Wright. 

Civic  Debate. — This  is  a  social  service  event.  Partici- 
pants should  be  three  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  town 
on  one  side,  and  three  leading  ministers  of  the  town  on 
the  other.  The  question  might  be,  "Resolved,  That  higher 
standards  of  civic  righteousness  prevail  now  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  ago." 

Hold  the  debate  in  a  church  or  a  hall,  and  be  sure  to 
advertise  the  event.  You  can  charge  admission,  if  you 
choose.  This  will  start  newspaper  comment  and  make  the 
public  do  things  along  civic  lines. 

After  a  general  debate  of  this  sort,  get  down  to  specific 
things,  and  put  younger  folks  on,  as  well  as  older  ones. 
Take  up  such  questions  as  social  surveys,  the  question  of 
vocational  schools,  public  recreation,  and  other  living  issues. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"  Albert  Chesley.) 
274 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

The  District  Read  in;/  Circle. — Prepare  a  list  of  from 
fifty  to  two  hundred  books  suitable  for  the  Epworthians  to 
read,  the  list  to  include  religious,  missionary,  temperance, 
juvenile,  fiction,  poetry,  and  biography.  You  could  call 
the  list  "Our  Reading  Circle  Books."  Organize  a  circle, 
the  members  of  which  will  be  those  who  take  these  pledges: 

"1.  I  promise  to  read  at  least  six  out  of  the  list  of 
books  during  the  year,  two  of  them  to  be  religious  subjects. 

"2.    I  promise  to  read  a  portion  of  the  Scripture  daily." 

This  would  be  most  profitable. 

The  Envelope  Library. — Old  magazines  are  used  for 
this  purpose.  A  story  or  article  may  be  cut  out  and  slipped 
into  an  envelope,  with  the  title  and  author  written  on  the 
envelope.  You  can  make  a  large  collection  of  these  en- 
velopes in  a  short  time.  Include  stories,  poems,  pictures, 
jokes,  etc.  They  will  brighten  the  sick-room.  This  is  good 
material  for  the  Third  Department,  the  Visiting  Committee. 

Subjects  for  Debate. — 1.  That  war  is  necessary  to  the 
security  and  progress  of  civilization. 

2.  That  a  single  tax  on  land  is  better  than  our  present 
system  of  taxation. 

3.  That  voting  should  be  made  compulsory. 

i.  That  bachelors  over  twenty-five  and  maids  over 
thirty  should  be  specially   taxed. 

5.  That  the  amount  of  wealth  transferable  by  inher- 
itance should  be  limited. 

6.  That  strikes  are  productive  of  more  harm  than  good 
to  the  working  classes. 

7.  That  our  large  department  stores  are  a  detriment 
to  the  country. 

8.  That  competition  is  a  greater  incentive  to  effort 
than  co-operation. 

9.  That  ministers  of  the  gospel  should  not  engage  in 
business  or  politics. 

10.  That  our  Church  should  give  more  attention  to 
home  missions  than  foreign. 

The  Herald's  Great  and  Good  Friend. 
The  Fourth  Vice-President  is  an  officer  of  the  Epworth 
League.      But  he  is  also  an  officer  of  The  Epworth  Herald. 

275 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

This  has  always  been  so,  but  at  Buffalo,  in  15)13,  the 
Board  of  Control  emphasized  it.  Into  the  revised  Consti- 
tution of  the  League  the  Board  wrote  four  major  duties 
of  the  Fourth  Vice-President.  One  of  them  was  the  super- 
vision of  The  Herald's  interest  in  the  local  Chapter. 

The  Fourth  Vice-Presidents  have  always  done  amaz- 
ingly well.  They  win  new  friends  and  steady  the  old  ones 
whose  allegiance  seems  to  waver.  They  walk  endless  miles 
and  display  angelic  patience  rounding  up  the  elusive  last 
subscriber  for  the  club  they  are  organizing.  They  make 
up  the  lists,  collect  the  moneys,  buy  the  drafts,  and  carry 
on  the  correspondence  with  the  Book  Concern.  And  many 
of  them  do  this  again  and  again  for  three  or  four  or  five 
years. 

For  all  this  highly  useful  work  a  Fourth  Vice-President 
gets — what  do  you  suppose?  A  twenty  per  cent  commis- 
sion? No.  A  more  or  less  valuable  premium?  Guess 
again.  He  gets  a  free  copy  of  the  paper  for  his  own  use. 
That  's  all. 

And  he  is  more  than  likely  to  pay  for  his  own  copy,  and- 
to  give  the  free  copy  to  the  Chapter,  or  to  the  town  library, 
or  to  the  barber  shop  on  Main  Street. 

As  long  as  The  Epworth  Herald  knows  how  to  be  grate- 
ful, it  may  be  counted  on  to  be  the  ardent  champion  of 
the  Epworth  League's  Fourth  Vice-President. 

The  Epworth  Herald  as  a  Trade  Paper. 

The  Epworth  Herald  is  the  trade  paper  of  a  body  of 
working  people. 

It  knows  perfectly  well  that  they  can  get  better  pic- 
tures, and  more  complete  news  of  current  events,  and  a 
few  other  things,  somewhere  else. 

But  it  knows  also  that  they  can't  get  better  Epworth 
League  help,  or  more  Epworth  League  news,  or  clearer 
understanding  of  Epworth  League  life,  or  surer  training 
in  Epworth  League  efficiency,  or  quicker  sympathy  with 
Epworth  League  ideals,  anywhere. 

That  is  what  a  trade  paper  is  for. 

Besides  these  things,  The  Herald  gives  attention  to 
276 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

important  world  news  and  to  really  big  Church  news.  It 
prints  good  stories  and  general  articles ;  it  tells  all  the  good 
jokes  as  early  as  most  papers;  it  has  an  editorial  page  that 
deals  with  all  sorts  of  subjects  which  have  meaning  for 
young  Christians ;  it  prints  short  but  dependable  reviews 
of  the  newest  books ;  it  is  a  pretty  good  paper  for  anybody 
to  take. 

But,  first  of  all,  and  last  of  all,  it  is  the  trade  paper 
of  the  Epworth  League. 

The  Official  Paper. — Epworth  Herald  programs  have 
been  used  from  the  beginning.  It  is  to  be  hoped  they  may 
be  available  and  popular  indefinitely.  The  supply  of  ma- 
terial will  not  run  short,  and,  in  the  natural  course  of 
things,  the  quality  should  improve  with  every  year.  Deco- 
rate the  room  with  notable  cover-pages  and  other  striking 
illustrations  taken  from  recent  issues  of  the  paper.  The 
smaller  pictures  may  be  mounted  on  mats  and  grouped 
appropriately  according  to  subjects.  The  program  will 
be  made  up  of  selections  from  the  paper.  All  departments, 
of  course,  should  be  represented  in  this  program.  That 
is  to  say,  it  should  have  a  story,  an  article  of  more  or 
less  solid  wisdom,  a  bit  of  the  literature  of  the  spiritual 
life,  a  poem,  a  few  jokes,  an  editorial  or  two,  a  few  per- 
sonals, some  choice  bits  of  Epworth  League  news,  and  one 
or  two  interesting  paragraphs  from  recent  devotional  meet- 
ing studies.  Call  each  participant  an  editor.  Then  the 
program  will  be  provided  by  the  editor-in-chief,  the  story 
editor,  the  news  editor,  the  funny  man,  the  religious  editor, 
and  so  on.  It  is  understood,  of  course,  that  no  program 
of  this  kind  would  be  complete  or  satisfactory  without  the 
circulation  of  subscription  blanks  and  the  urging  of  the 
time-honored  injunction,  "Now  is  the  time  to  subscribe." 
If  your  Epzvorth  Herald  list  is  woefully  short,  this  is  an 
admirable  plan   for  lengthening  it. 

A  special  program  for  Epzvorth  Herald  Day  (the  sec- 
ond Sunday  in  January)  is  published  by  The  Herald  every 
year,  and  sent  free  in  quantities  to  any  Chapter  which  asks 
for  it.  It  furnishes  the  material  for  a  remarkable  meeting, 
and  gives  the  Fourth  Vice-President  the  best  possible  op- 
portunity to  secure  a  large  Herald  club.     Requests  for  the 

277 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

program  should  be  sent  to  the  editorial  office  by  the  middle 
of  December. 

The  Recreational  Work. 

The  recreational  work  of  the  Fourth  Department  is  in- 
tended to  be  a  feeder  for  all  the  other  departments,  but  it 
ought  not  to  be  expected  necessary  to  feed  the  members. 

If  the  recreational  work  is  carefully,  enthusiastically, 
and  judiciously  done,  every  department  will  feel  the  stim- 
ulus and  help  it  will  bring. 

The  recreational  work  of  the  Chapter  is  by  all  means 
not  to  be  considered  a  source  of  financial  profit.  It  is  not 
the  Chapter's  bargain  counter.  It  has  no  function  as  a 
money-maker.  There  may  be  some  profit  in  some  of  the 
enterprises  which  it  undertakes,  but  the  purpose  to  make 
a  profit  should  never  be  foremost.  The  money-raising  work 
of  the  Epworth  Eeague  should  be  done,  as  largely  as  pos- 
sible, through  the  Treasurer's  Department,  and  the  ideal 
should  be  held  up  before  the  members  continually  that 
direct  giving  is  the  only  giving,  and  that  the  Epworth 
League  can  not  eat  its  way  into  financial  prosperity  without 
serious  detriment  to  its  social  and  spiritual  life. 

In  an  Epworth  League  social  the  social  feature  should 
be  at  least  as  real  as  any  other.  A  free-of-cost  social  is 
the  ideal.  It  is  much  more  likely  to  be  popular  and  in 
keeping  with  the  true  purpose  of  socials,  than  one  to  which 
an  admission  fee  is  charged.  Any  event  which  has  its 
origin  in  a  purely  financial  consideration  is  not  a  social. 
The  money  element  may  have  a  place  in  some  occasion  of 
Christian  fellowship,  but  its  place  will  be  secondary  always. 

Any  social,  so  called,  but  sadly  miscalled,  which  has  for 
its  first  and  important  end  the  raising  of  the  pastor's  salary 
should  not  be  tolerated  in  any  self-respecting  Chapter  which 
is  willing  to  have  any  preacher  at  all.  Such  a  social  de- 
grades the  Church,  humiliates  the  preacher,  and  is  usually 
a  financial  failure,  as  it  ought  to  be.  When  it  is  a  financial 
success  its  effect  is  even  worse.  The  Church  which  is  too 
poor  to  pay  a  preacher  is  too  poor  to  carry  to  a  successful 
issue  a  social  for  the  benefit  of  the  salary  fund. 

The  adoption  of  the  New  Testament  method  of  Church 
and  Epworth  League  support  would  abolish  the  whole  tribe 

278 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

of  melancholy  functions  whose  only  social  feature  is  their 
name,  and  would  make  possible  real  socials — socials  to  save, 
without  money  and  without  price. 

Socials  and  Sociability. 

What  are  the  marks  of  a  good  social?  Negatively,  at 
a  good  social  there  may  be  noted  the  absence  of  certain 
things  which  would  make  it  a  bad  social.  There  is  no 
stiffness,  no  coldness,  no  formality,  no  groups,  no  cliques, 
no  reserve,  no  neglected  folk,  no  talking  of  shop,  no  exalt- 
ing of  self.  Speaking  positively,  a  good  social  will  have 
a  large  freedom  of  movement.  Strangers  will  be  generously 
introduced.  The  fine  art  of  conversation  will  be  cultivated. 
The  timid  and  backward  among  the  company  will  receive 
special  attention.  The  little  talks  will  be  upon  themes  of 
mutual  interest.  Above  all,  a  good  social  is  a  social  which 
has  a  great  purpose,  which  is  inspired  by  the  greatest  of 
all  purposes — the  purpose  to  recognize  that  the  social  life 
is  a  Christian  privilege.  Emphasis  should  be  placed  upon 
our  oneness  in  Christ  Jesus.     We  are  brethren. 

The  social  work  of  the  Epworth  League  must,  above  all, 
be  clean.  Do  not  tolerate  for  a  moment  any  attempt  to 
keep  the  letter  of  the  Church  law  on  the  subject  of  amuse- 
ments while  violating  its  spirit.  Epworthians  can  not  com- 
pete with  the  theater  on  the  theater's  level.  If  the  League's 
amusement  features  can  not  be  kept  free  from  suggestions 
of  the  play-house,  they  should  be  abandoned  altogether. 
Self-respect  and  loyalty  to  the  ideal  of  the  League  demand 
that  we  shall  not  surrender  to  these  tendencies.  They  are 
the  very  tendencies  which  the  League's  social  work  is  seek- 
ing to  overcome. 

The  suggestions  and  plans  in  the  following  pages  bjr 
no  means  cover  the  whole  field.  They  are  the  merest  hints 
of  what  is  becoming  a  very  rich  deposit  of  recreational 
material.  A  booklet  by  Rev.  Peter  Jacobs,  published  by  the 
Central  Office  of  the  Epworth  League,  gives  much  more 
material  than  can  be  afforded  space  here,  with  a  full  list 
of  the  extensive  literature  available  for  every  phase  of 
recreational  work.  It  should  be  the  property  of  every 
Fourth  Vice-President. 

279 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Tackling  the  Other  Side  ok  the  Amusement  Question. 

The  amusement  question  will  not  down,  and  it  will  not 
be  downed. 

The  Board  of  Control  of  the  Epworth  League  did  a 
brave  and  necessary  thing  at  its  annual  meeting  in  1013. 
It  put  the  word  "Recreation"  into  the  forefront  of  the 
Fourth   Department's  new  name. 

By  that  action  the  Epworth  League  was  told  plainly 
I  hat  it  must  do  something  more  about  the  recreational  life 
of  its  young  people. 

The  League  knows  what  amusements  the  Church  objects 
to,  and  makes  no  attempt  to  change  the  law.  Dr.  Robert 
Stephens,  of  Illinois,  said,  in  the  great  debate  on  Paragraph 
260,  at  Minneapolis,  in  1912,  that  not  a  single  petition  for 
a  change  had  come  from  any  League  organization  in  the 
world. 

But  the  changed  name  of  the  Fourth  Department  has 
put  on  all  Epworthians  the  duty  of  filling  out  and  com- 
pleting the  Discipline's  famous  amusement  clauses. 

Those  clauses  said  "Do  n't."  But  there  is  nothing  in- 
spiring in  a  prohibition.  It  may  be  respected  and  remem- 
bered and  obeyed ;  it  will  never  be  loved.  Nobody  is  really 
captivated  by  the  obligation  of  speaking  nothing,  or  doing 
nothing,  or  refraining  from  something,  or  avoiding  some- 
thing. 

Now  the  League  and  the  Church,  too,  are  getting  ready 
to  say  "Do."  There  is  good  authority  for  it.  When  the 
lawyer  went  to  Jesus  with  his  question  about  the  greatest 
law  of  the  "Thou  shalt  nots"  in  the  Decalogue,  Jesus  met 
him  with  two  greater  laws,  both  beginning  "Thou  shalt." 

Whenever  the  Church  has  spoken  its  will  about  the 
tilings  which  determine  character,  sooner  or  later  it  has 
had  to  speak  positively  as  w,ell  as  negatively.  It  opposes 
improper  amusements  and  names  them,  counting  them  bad 
hecause  they  tend  to  undermine  character;  it  is  seeing  now 
that  proper  amusements  are  to  be  counted  good  because 
they  undergird  character. 

Youth  is  disciplined  by  its  play  as  well  as  by  its  tasks. 
"Waterloo  was  won  on  the  cricket  fields  of  Eton." 

280 


CULTU  RE  A ND  R E( ' REATION. 

Play—recreation— amusement,  whatever  you  choose  to 
call  the  thing  we  are  after,  gives  young  folks  their  chance 
to  lunge  out,  to  put  themselves  into  circumstances  genuinely 
social  and  genuinely  interesting. 

The  college  play— dozens  of  them  are  given  by  students 
in  Methodist  colleges  every  year— the  missionary  pageant, 
the  tennis  tournament,  the  outdoor  games  and  the  indoor 
games  of  the  several  seasons— all  are  educative  in  the  high- 
est sense,  because  they  develop  character  and,  moreover, 
test  it  while  it  grows. 

Youth  is  the  restless  time.  It  loves  the  intense,  Un- 
varied, the  moving  things.  It  balks  at  gray  monotony. 
And  this  is  not  of  the  evil  one,  but  of  the  Lord. 

God  gave  youth  its  spirit  of  adventure,  and  turned  it 
loose  in  a  world  that  held  enough  adventure  to  satisfy  it. 
He  made  life  vivid,  "contrasty,"  dramatic.  The  rebound 
from  dull,  grinding  drudgery  in  school  or  shop  or  home 
is  as  natural  as  hunger. 

And  now  the  League  has  a  commission,  made  plainer 
than  ever,  to  capture  the  play-life  of  the  young  people 
It  must  construct  a  program  of  recreation  that  will  offset 
the  many  harmful  amusements  which  are  beyond  its  control. 
For  instance,  no  one  doubts  the  frequent  harmfulness 
of  the  moving  picture  show.  But  you  can  not  abolish  the 
moving  picture  show  or  make  the  young  people  shut  their 
eyes  to  its  glamor.  To  make  laws  against  the  show  and  to 
issue  prohibitions  to  the  young  people  would  be  worse  than 
useless.  It  would  be  King  Canute  proposing  to  stay  the 
tide  with  the  king  actually  believing  himself  stronger  than 

the  sea. 

The  real  testing  time  has  come.  It  is  easy  to  say 
"Do  n't."  The  thing  is  so  simple  and  so  final — if  it  works. 
But  can  we  say  "Po?"  Can  the  League  provide  a  natural, 
acceptable  scheme  of  recreation,  both  attractive  and  whole- 
some?    Can  we  make  our  recreation  fascinating  as  well  as 

clean  ? 

The  present  writer  believes  enthusiastically  that  this 
thing  can  be  done.  He  believes  the  young  people  of  Meth- 
odism can  play  and  really  enjoy  it,  without  doing  any 
damage  to  their  piety.     He  believes  they  can  find  recreation 

281 


THE  EFFICIENT   EPWORTHIAN. 

that  will  be  so  satisfying  and  absorbing  as  to  make  any 
amusement  paragraph  of  merely  historical  interest,  like  the 
General  Rule  about  the  buying  and  selling  of  slaves. 

A   Simple    Recreation    Program. 

Every  Epworth  League  Chapter  should  provide  in  its 
work  of  recreation  a  program  of  good,  though  simple,  ways 
for  young  people  to  play  together. 

That  means  indoor  and  outdoor  games,  but  it  means 
more  than  that. 

The  "get-together"  instinct  needs  to  be  remembered  and 
satisfied.  In  many  cases  this  can  be  done  through  the 
expedient  of  peeping  open-house  in  the  League  room  one 
evening  a  week  or  a  fortnight.  With  ample  opportunity 
for  conversation,  a  few  lively  games,  music,  and,  as  often 
as  possible,  some  very  light  eat-and-drinkables,  the  League's 
open-house  may  become  a  recognized  and  much  valued  in- 
stitution. 

Many  a  Chapter  can  build  up  an  entertainment  course 
of  three  to  six  numbers,  including,  perhaps,  a  concert,  a 
home  talent  program,  some  good  moving  pictures,  and  some 
"Evenings  with  experts."- 

The  dramatic  instinct,  which  the  pastor  recognizes  in 
his  realistic  illustrations,  and  which  helps  the  choir  to  do 
so  well  with  the  more  vivid  anthems,  may  find  expression 
in  a  pageant  once  in  a  while,  using  local  annals,  or  mis- 
sions, or  Church  history  as  a  foundation. 

By  all  means  let  us  do  more  with  and  for  outdoor 
sports.  The  Chapter  which  has  a  ball-team  has  a  good 
thing.  Tennis  is,  in  all  respects,  a  profitable  sport  for  the 
young  folks  of  that  Chapter.  A  "hiking"  club  and  a 
hockey  team  will  provide  forms  of  recreation  which  can 
be  used  under  winter  skies. 

We  must  make  more  of  our  homes.  In  all  well-regulated 
families  the  home  belongs  to  the  young  folks.  Periodical 
"at  homes,"  then,  in  homes,  with  the  home  atmosphere  and 
the  normal-temperatured  pleasures  that  leave  no  bad  taste 
behind.  Games  there,  too,  as  well  as  in  the  League  room, 
but  the  main  emphasis  on  fellowship,  which  is,  as  Steiner 
says,  being  a  fellow  in  the  same  ship. 

282 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

I  i'  all  this  needed  to  be  put  into  the  form  of  a  positive 
recreational  policy ,  would  it  not  run  somewhat  after  this 
fashion? 

1.  We  will  get  the  young  people  of  the  parish  to- 
gether as  often  as  possible  in  the  League  room  for  good 
times  through  good  fellowship. 

2.  We  will  give  the  community  a  series  of  clean 
and  cheerful  entertainments,  at  the  lowest  expense, 
following  as  far  as  possible  known  preferences  of  the 
people  we  seek  to  serve. 

3.  We  will  find  ways  of  giving  legitimate  expres- 
sion to  the  dramatic  instinct  by  arranging  representa- 
tions of  people  and  events  worth  remembering  in 
connection  with  our  community,  our  Church,  and  the 
Kingdom. 

A.  We  will  offer  such  a  choice  of  outdoor  sports 
that  all  the  young  people  may  have  frequent  oppor- 
tunity to  play  together  in  the  open  air,  winter  and 
summer. 

5.  We  will  invite  the  young  people  of  the  neigh- 
borhood to  share  the  hospitality  of  our  homes  as  often 
as  arrangements  can  be  made. 

And  we  will  do  all  this  that  we  may  make  real 
and  general,  those  pleasures  of  youth  that  bring  no 
sorrow  with  them. 

Why  Not  Two  Tennis  Courts? 

If  a  group  of  young  men  had  been  brought  to  the  Church 
and  to  conversion  by  a  tract,  or  the  sound  of  a  sweet  singer's 
voice  floating  out  of  the  church's  open  windows,  everybody 
who  knew  about  it  would  be  glad. 

Why  should  anybody  be  sorry  when  a  particular  group 
of  voung  men  in  a  Connecticut  town  were  won  by  the  tennis 
court,  which  the  Fourth  Department  had  provided?  Of 
course,  it  did  not  get  them  converted.  But  it  brought  them 
within  reach,  and  Christian  influences  and  faithfulness  did 
the  rest. 

A  tennis  court  is  a  good  thing  in  itself.  It  has  proved 
one  of  the  necessary  adjuncts   of   every    Ejworth    League 

283 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Institute,  not  for  its  spiritual  usefulness,  though  it  has  that 
value,  but  for  its  sheer  recreative  delightfulness. 

When,  in  addition  to  its  other  good  qualities,  a  tennis 
court  is  geographically  and  sympathetically  so  near  to  the 
Church  that  the  players  "talk  religion,"  and  review  their 
mission  study  work  between  games,  the  only  criticism  that 
suggests  itself  is,  "Why  not  two  tennis  courts?" 

Little  Paragraphs  About  Play. 

If  you  are  young  enough  to  laugh  at  poverty,  there  's 
fun  in  a  "Poverty  Social."  But  when  you  have  been  at 
grips  with  poverty  for  a  few  years  you  won't  want  to  play 
at  it. 

The  best  advertising  for  this  month's  League  social  is 
the  memory  of  the  good  time  everybody  had  at  last  month's 
social. 

Play  that  is  n't  social  is  n't  much.  And  the  man  who 
can't  play  is  n't  social. 

One  thing  is  a  means  of  grace,  and  another  a  means 
to  grace.  If  the  devotional  meeting  is  the  first,  the  social 
may  as  truly  be  the  other. 

The  people  who  enjoy  the  comic  supplement  are  poor 
judges  of  what  a  League  social  ought  to  be. 

The  Chapter  without  a  recreation  program  will  become 
the  Chapter  without  young  life. 

The  pay  social  can  not  compete  with  the  free  social 
in  the  matter  of  friendliness. 

The  Epworthian  who  does  n't  like  recreation  should  see 
a  physician,  or  apply  for  an  old-age  pension. 

We  honor  the  Epworthian  who  can  show  us  a  new  and 
wholesome  form  of  recreation. 

The  institutes  are  strong  on  recreation.  That  is  as  it 
ought  to  be. 

Tell  me  how  an  Ep worth  League  Chapter  plays,  and 
I  will  tell  you  what  it  is. 

Successful  Social  "Stunts." 
In  the  paragraphs  which  follow  hints  of  various  helps 
for  the  social  evening  are  given.     The  space  at  our  disposal 
would  be  insufficient  to  describe  in  full  one-tenth  of  these 

284 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

ideas,  but  the  hints  given  are  such  that  most  Epworthians, 
by  a  little  personal  thought  and  the  exercise  of  native 
ingenuity,  can  fill  in  the  details  with  entire  satisfaction  to 
themselves  and  the  people  whose  entertainment  they  have 
undertaken  to  provide.  There  is  given  much  more  than 
enough  in  the  way  of  hints  and  suggestions  to  provide  a 
social  for  every  week  in  the  year. 

Charades. — 

Attenuate.     At-ten-you-ate.  Welcome.      Wel-come. 

Ingratiate.     In-grey-she-ate.  Horsemanship.     Horse-man- 

Catering  (Kate,  her  ring).  ship. 

Commentator.       Common  Sack-cloth.     Sack-cloth. 

(Irish  potato)  tater.  Sweepstake.     Sweep-stake. 

Heroes.     He-rows.  Antidote.     Ant-i-dote. 

Tennessee.      Ten-I-see.  Football.     Foot-ball. 

Penitent.     Pen-i-tent.  Bridegroom.     Bride-groom. 

Necklace.      Neck-lace.  Sunday.     Sun-day. 

Pantry.     Pan-tree.  Definite.      Deaf-in-ate. 

Carpet.    Car-pet.  Snowball.     Snow-ball. 
Shylock.     Shy-lock. 

(Adapted  from  "Indoor  Games  for  Boys,"  Baker.) 

A  Comic  Orchestra. — An  imaginary  instrument  is  chosen 
by  each  one  present,  such  as  violin,  piano,  harp,  etc.  As 
soon  as  the  leader  begins,  the  others  must  follow  and  make 
a  noise  and  go  through  the  motions  which  represent  the 
instrument  he  represents.  The  leader  may  be  playing  a 
flute.  He  stops  suddenly  and  plays  the  violin,  then  the 
one  playing  the  violin  must  take  up  the  flute.  The  leader 
may  change  as  often  as  he  likes.  Any  one  failing  to  make 
the  changes  at  the  proper  time  must  pay  a  forfeit. 

(Adapted  from  "Indoor  Games  for  Boys,"  Baker.) 

A  Corn  Social  in  the  fall  will  take  well,  with  ears  of 
corn,  corn-stalks,  and  pop-corn  for  decorations;  corn  prod- 
ucts for  refreshments ;  a  guessing  contest  as  to  number  of 
grains  on  a  selected  ear,  and  the  recital  of  Mrs.  Allerton's 
"Walls  of  Corn"  and  other  appropriate  selections. 

Candy  Making. — The  old-fashioned  candy-pull  still  has 
power  to  charm,  and  yet  we  need  not  be  tied  to  the  one 

285 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

solitary  method  of  making  candy.  Nearly  every  cook-book 
nowadays  has  an  assortment  of  good  candy  recipes,  and 
they  are  all  the  better,  in  some  respects  at  least,  when 
made  at  a  social  by  a  large  number  of  cooks.  What  the 
candy  lacks  in  elegance  and  perfection  of  flavor  will  not 
be  missed,  while  the  good  fellowship  and  hilarity  developed 
in  the  candy-making  process  will  be  worth  more  than  all 
the  candy  that  ma}r  be  concocted. 

An  Abbreviated  Social. — An  abbreviated  social,  in  which 
everything  is  cut  short — medleys,  piano  solos,  and  other 
musical  features  stopped  in  the  middle ;  progressive  con- 
versations, with  changes  at  unexpected  moments;  "follow 
my  leader;"  unfinished  stories,  stopping  just  on  the  verge 
of  the  thrill,  and  refreshments  which  when  first  served  are 
short  as  to  quantity,  but  which,  of  course,  may  be  length- 
ened. 

My  Native  State  Social. — This  is  good  for  a  Chapter 
where  the  members  are  from  various  parts  of  the  country. 
Each  one  invited  should  be  asked  to  wear  something  to 
indicate  his  native  State.  For  instance,  sunflower  for  Kan- 
sas, nutmeg  for  Connecticut,  etc.  Each  one  must  deliver 
a  short  eulogy  on  his  State. 

Have  an  Old  Members'  Social,  including  a  reunion  of 
those  who  were  active  in  the  work  in  other  days,  and  the 
reading  of  letters  from  those  who  are  not  able  to  be  present 
in  person.  Speeches,  reminiscent  and  prophetic,  are  appro- 
priate at  such  a  gathering. 

Of  great  value  are  Students'  Receptions  at  the  beginning 
of  the  school  year.  Decorate  with  the  school  colors  and 
banners.      Sing  school  and  college  songs. 

Songs  Without  Words. — Some  one  plays  snatches  of 
familiar  airs,  and  the  guests  are  to  name  the  songs  and 
write  them  down.  For  example,  songs  like  these  might  be 
plaved:  "Annie  Laurie,"  "Suwanee  River,"  "My  Old  Ken- 
tucky Home,"  "Blue  Bells  of  Scotland,"  National  songs, 
operas,  popular  songs. 

The  names  of  these  may  be  woven  into  a  story,  some- 
thing on  the  order  of  "A  Musical   Romance." 

(Adaj)ted  from  "Games,"  Jessie  Bancroft.) 
280 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

A  Tower  of  Babel  Social. — This  is  good  for  a  city 
Chapter  to  use.  Give  the  program  in  many  languages. 
For  instance,  an  English  story,  a  German  song,  a  French 
poem,  Italian  song,  Swedish  story,  etc.  "The  Marseil- 
laise" might  be  used  for  the  French,  "The  Watch  on  the 
Rhine"  for  the  German,  or  some  one  could  read  a  selection 
from  "Faust." 

If  translations  can  be  given  afterwards,  so  much  the 
better.  Two  people  who  speak  the  same  foreign  language 
could  put  on  an  interesting  number,  one  giving  the  address 
and  the  other  interpreting  it  as  it  proceeds.  This  would 
give  the  audience  a  hint  of  the  experience  many  a  mis- 
sionary must  go  through,  and  every  public  speaker  who 
delivers  addresses  in  foreign  parts. 

The  Sons  of  Ehud. — Everything  is  left-handed  in  this 
social.  The  programs  are  cards  which  open  on  the  wrong 
side,  and  they  might  have  the  following  verse,  which  was 
once  used  with  great  success: 

"Left-handed  greeting, 

Left-handed  eating, 

Left-handed  compliments,  too ; 

Left-handed  name, 

Left-handed  game, — 

I  think  that  's  enough,  do  n't  you?" 

The  guests  had  to  shake  hands  with  the  left  hand,  and 
"grinds"  were  given  instead  of  compliments.  The  left 
hand  was  used  in  eating  the  refreshments.  The  hostess 
can  think  of  other  schemes  in  which  the  left  hand  may  be 
made  more  prominent. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"  Chesley.) 

Scrambled  Post  Cards. — Take  cards  or  pictures  of  well- 
known  buildings  or  persons,  and  cut  them  into  five  pieces. 
Get  as  many  envelopes  as  cards,  and  put  into  each  envelo23e 
five  pieces.  Give  each  one  an  envelope,  and  he  must  try 
to  match  the  pieces  in  his  envelope. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"  Chesley.) 

A  Menu  of  Numbers. — This  is  a  novel  way  of  serving 
refreshments.      Each   guest   is   given   a   card    witli   numbers 

287 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

from  1  to  10,  each  number  representing  something  used 
for  refreshments  that  evening.  For  instance:  1  is  a  spoon; 
2,  paper  napkins;  3,  toothpicks;  10,  fork,  etc.  Each  guest 
is  told  to  check  six  articles  that  he  wants.  In  this  way 
some  will  get  plates,  spoons,  etc.  If  some  are  deprived 
of  the  good  things  to  eat,  the  refreshments  can  be  passed 
later. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Plans  for  Young  People,"  Chris- 
tian Reisner.) 

Tongue  Twisters. — 1.  One  old  ostrich  ordering  oranges. 
2.  Two  timid  toads  trying  to  trot  to  Tarrytown.  3.  Three 
terrible,  thumping  tigers  tickling  trout.  4.  Four  fat  friars 
fanning  flickering  flames.  5.  Five  frivolous  foreigners  flee- 
ing from  fabulous  snipe.  6.  Six  Scottish  soldiers  succes- 
sively shooting  snipe.  7.  Seven  serious  Southerners  setting 
sail  from  Switzerland.  8.  Eight  eager  emigrants  earnestly 
examining  elements.  9.  Nine  nimble  noblemen  nibbling 
nuts.  10.  Ten  tremendous  tomtits  twittering  on  the  tops 
of  three  tall  trees.  1 1.  Eleven  enormous  elephants  elegantly 
eating  Easter  eggs.  12.  Twelve  tired  tailors  thoughtfully 
twisting  twine. 

Tongue  Twisters. — The  first  player  repeats  the  first 
phrase.  Player  number  2  repeats  the  same  and  also  phrase 
number  2.  Number  3  repeats  phrases  1,  2,  and  3,  etc., 
until  some  one  breaks  down. 

1.  A  good  fat  hen.  2.  Two  ducks.  3.  Three  plump 
partridges.  4.  Four  squawking  wild  geese.  5.  Five  hun- 
dred oysters.  6.  Six  pairs  of  Don  Alphonso's  tweezers. 
7.  Seven  hundred  Macedonian  horsemen,  rank  and  file 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle.  8.  Eight  cages  of  He,  Hi,  Ho, 
bibulous  sparrow  kites.  0.  Nine  floating  fly  boats,  floating 
from  Fort  Manilus  to  Damascus  laden  with  fruit  and 
flowers.  10.  Ten  diacaustic,  dogmatic,  diathetic,  parallel 
propositions  proposed  to  be  received  by  all  mankind. 

A  Barter  Social. — A  barter  social  has  elements  of  whole- 
some fun  in  it.  Each  one  attending  it  is  expected  to  bring 
an  article  whose  value  does  not  exceed  a  certain  specified 
sum,  usually  five  or  ten  cents.  It  may  be  wrapped  in  any 
manner,  and  the  more  ingeniously  done,  so  as  to  hide  any 

288 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

indication  of  its  real  character,  the  hetter.  As  soon  as  all 
have  arrived,  the  trading  begins.  Each  one  strives  to  ex- 
change his  bundle  for  one  that  seems  to  hold  out  greater 
possibilities.  There  is  no  limit  to  the  number  of  exchanges 
that  can  be  made,  but  after  a  certain  time  all  trading  must 
cease.  Then  the  packages  are  opened,  and  the  fun  will 
be  at  its  height  in  the  disclosures  that  are  made  and  the 
surprises  that  await  the  traders. 

The  Social  of  the  Senses. — This  requires  five  rooms,  or 
five  sections  of  one  room.  In  one  the  sense  of  touch  is  to 
be  exercised.  Articles  hidden  under  a  cloth  may  be  felt, 
and  their  nature  and  composition  determined  in  that  method. 
In  another  place  the  sense  of  smell  has  its  opportunity. 
Odoriferous  articles  are  provided,  and  the  composition  of 
each  is  to  be  determined  by  its  odor.  In  the  sight  section 
various  tests  may  be  applied,  as  to  gradations  of  color, 
comparison  of  length  of  line  and  area  of  surfaces,  and  so 
on.  In  the  taste  section  the  articles  which  are  provided  are 
disguised  as  much  as  possible,  except  to  the  sense  of  taste. 
For  example,  a  series  of  white  powders  can  be  provided, 
each  reduced  to  the  same  consistency.  Flour,  sugar,  salt, 
baking  soda,  and  the  other  harmless  substances  will  provide 
material  for  this  section. 

The  Fagot  Parti/. — This  social  must  be  held  in  a  place 
where  there  is  a  fireplace.  Each  guest  should  be  asked 
to  come  and  bring  a  fagot,  which  may  be  anything  from 
a  toothpick  to  a  handle  of  a  snow  shovel. 

You  might  first  have  a  musical  program.  Then  light 
a  fire  in  the  fireplace  and  turn  all  the  lights  out.  One 
person  should  put  his  fagot  in  the  fire  and  begin  to  tell  a 
story  of  his  vacation  experiences,  or  any  story  or  fact,  and 
it  should  last  until  his  fagot  is  burned.  Then  the  others 
will   follow.      SerVe  ice-cream  and  cake. 

Musical  Evenings,  each  devoted  to  a  special  kind  of 
music,  will  draw  good  audiences.  From  the  musical  re- 
sources available  arrange  such  programs  as  "Songs  of  the 
Old  Folks,"  "Songs  of  Places,"  "Songs  of  the  Sea,"  "The 
Songs  of  Yesterday,"  "Plantation  Songs,"  "Songs  of  the 
Nations,"  "American  National  Songs,"  etc. 
19  289 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Hold  a  Traveling  Social.  This  may  be  made  a  sort  of 
progressive  banquet,  in  which  one  course  is  served  in  one 
home,  the  next  in  another  a  block  or  two  away,  and  so 
through  the  entire  menu.  The  plan  may  be  varied  by  con- 
sidering each  home  visited  as  a  different  country  and  adapt- 
ing the  decorations,  refreshments,  and  other  arrangements 
to  that  plan. 

A  Jumble  Social. — The  program  as  given  by  an  Iowa 
Chapter  was  a  perfect  jumble  from  the  first  to  last.  The 
first  number  was  a  piano  duet,  one  player  giving,  say,  Men- 
delssohn's "Wedding  March,"  the  other  executing  the  "Dead 
March"  from  "Saul."  The  pastor  gave  a  ten-minute  ad- 
dress on  five  different  topics.  Two  ladies  recited  simul- 
taneously, one  giving  a  selection  of  the  general  character 
of  the  "Charge  of  the  Light  Brigade,"  while  the  other 
recited  a  poem  in  the  "Psalm  of  Life"  class.  Jumbled 
names  kept  the  pencils  of  the  company  busy  for  ten  strenu- 
ous minutes,  at  the  end  of  which  a  big  ginger-cookie  "jum- 
ble" was  given  to  the  player  who  first  untangled  the  name 
jumble.  Jumbles  were  the  central  feature  of  the  refresh- 
ments served. 

PENCIL,    PAPER,    AND    BRAINS. 

Descriptive  Initials. — Have  a  list  of  noted  people  and 
make  descriptive  phrases,  using  the  initials  of  their  names. 
Such  as,  "Always  loyal,"  for  Abraham  Lincoln;  "Tireless 
Reformer,"  for  Theodore  Roosevelt.  You  can  use  the 
initials  of  some  of  the  Chapter  members,  or  of  people  of 
local  interest,  or  names  of  popular  books. 

A  Word  Building. — Use  the  name  of  your  Church  or 
any  other  words  you  desire,  of  more  than  twelve  letters, 
containing  as  many  vowels  as  possible.  The  player  must 
see  how  many  words  he  can  make  out  of  that  word.  A  good 
prize   for  this  would  be  a  small  pocket  dictionary. 

Hundred  Dollar  Social. — Every  guest  has  an  oppor- 
tunity to  spend  $100.  He  is  presented  with  a  check  for 
.$100,  and  is  asked  to  spend  his  money.  These  items  will 
be  endorsed  on  the  back  of  the  check.  Later  on,  these 
shopping  lists  will  be  read,  and  the  guests  should  decide 
who  the  spender  is  by  the  manner  in  which  he  has  spent 

290 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

his  money.     This  is  merely  a  start,  and  many  other  schemes 
may  be  worked  out. 

The  Dry  Goods  Describer. — 

1.  A  long-haired  animal  of  Peru.     Alpaca. 

2.  A  loud  noise.     Crash. 

3.  A  symbol  of  worldly  sacrifice.     Nun's  veiling. 

4.  A  material  used  by  painters.     Canvas. 

5.  An  amphibious  creature.     Duck. 

0.  Hills  in  Scotland.     Cheviot. 

7.  A  rising  billow.     Storm  serge. 

8.  The  grassy  sward.     Lawn. 

9.  A  dwelling  and  wove.     Homespun. 

10.  A  spotted  mountaineer.     Dotted  swiss. 

11.  A  much  discussed  waterway.     Panama. 

12.  A  musical  instrument  and  a  Scotch  river.     Organdv. 

13.  A  Scotch-English  river.     Tweed. 

14.  A  fisher's  necessity.     Net. 

15.  Paddy's  shoestring.     Irish  lace. 

16.  What  an  "ad"  gets.     Insertion. 

(Adapted   from   "Dame   Curtsey's   Guessing  Contests," 
Glover.) 

Hidden  Authors. — 

1.  A  name  that  means  such  fiery  things  one  can't  de- 
scribe its  pain.     Burns. 

2.  Kind  of  bonnet.     Hood. 

3.  A  high  Church  official.     Pope. 

4.  Part  of  a  hospital.     Ward. 

5.  What    a    host    said    when    the    meat    was    tough. 
Chaucer. 

6.  Something  hard  to  bear.     Payne. 

7.  A  kind  of  bread  and  a  preposition.     Ruskin. 

8.  A  breakfast  dish.      Bacon. 

9.  Something  on  foot.     Bunyan. 

10.  A  blossom.     Hawthorne. 

11.  A  game  and  a  preposition.     Tennyson. 

12.  Muddy  water.     Riley. 

13.  Badly  wounded.     Alcott. 

14.  What  the  fox  dreads.     Hunt. 

15.  The  name  of  a  river.     Poe. 

291 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

16.  A  tall  chap.     Longfellow. 

17.  Brighter  than  any  humorist.     Whittier. 

18.  A  noisy  author.     Bangs. 

19.  The  giver  of  kindly  help.     Ade. 

20.  The  farmer's  possession.     Field. 

21.  A  throbbing  pump.     Harte. 

22.  A  measure  of  literary  value.     Wordsworth. 
(Adapted   from   "Dame   Curtsey's   Guessing  Contests," 

Glover.) 

Choosing  the  Cake. — What  kind  of  a  cake  would  you 
buy  for: 

1.  Sculptors.     Marble  cake. 

2.  Dairymen.     Cream  cake. 

3.  Milliners.     Ribbon  cake. 
1.    Babies.     Patty  cakes. 

5.  Lovers.     Kisses. 

6.  The  betrothed.     Brides'  cake. 

7.  Carpenter.     Plain  (plane)  cake. 

8.  Idlers.     Loaf  cake. 

9.  Pugilists.      Pound  cake. 

10.  Brickmasons.     Layer  cake. 

11.  Borrowers.     Spongecake. 

12.  Sweethearts.     Angel  cake. 

13.  Ball  players.     Batter  cakes. 

14.  Those  who  sample  all  these  too  much.      Stomach 
ache. 

(Adapted  from  "Games.") 

The  Depths  of  Ignorance. — Pass  papers  around  with 
this  statement  at  the  top,  "What  We  Do  Not  Know."  Under 
this  you  can  write  questions  similar  to  the  following: 

Here  are  some  suitable  for  the  men — 

"How  do  you  make  a  dinner  menu  for  six,  your  allow- 
ance  being  $2.50?      Give  items." 

"How  do  you  make  and  trim  a  lingerie  waist?" 

"What  is  meant  by  a  gored  skirt,  and  what  is  applique?" 

Here  are  some  suitable  for  women — 

"What  is  meant  by  double  entry?" 

"What  would  you  do  with  a  draft  for  $100?" 
292 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

"What  would  you  do  if  a  rich  and  poor  man  should 
propose  to  you  at  the  same  time?" 

The  hostess  can  add  others  suitable  for  her  guests. 
(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments/' Glover.) 

The  Telegram  Social— One  plan  is  to  have  the  guests 
write  the  letters  of  their  surname  at  intervals  on  the  tele- 
graph blanks  given  to  them.  Then  they  must  write  a  mes- 
sage using  these  letters  of  the  name  as  the  first  letter  in 
the  words  of  the  message. 

Another  plan  is  to  take  any  ten  letters  of  the  alphabet 
and  place  them  on  the  blank,  and  write  a  message  using 
these  letters  as  the  first  letter  of  the  words  of  the  telegram. 
Authors'  Traits.— By  the  statement  of  the  author's  char- 
acteristic, the  name  may  be  discovered.     For  example: 
The  oldest  author — Adam  Smith. 
The  youngest  author — Child. 
The  healthy  author — Hale. 
The  sickly  author— Haggard. 
The  farmer's  author — Field. 
The  jeweler's  author — Goldsmith. 
The  domestic  author — Holmes. 
The  woodland  author — Hawthorne. 
The  blistering  author — Burns. 
The  breakfast  author — Bacon. 
The  dinner  author — Lamb. 
The  lancer's  author — Shakespeare. 
The  tall  author— Longfellow. 
The  hungry  author — Chaucer. 
The  repellant  author — Sterne. 
The  Roman  author — Pope. 

The  Composite  Novel.— Divide  the  guests  into  groups 
of  about  five  or  six.  Several  long  sheets  of  paper  should 
be  started,  each  group  having  one.  One  member  of  the 
group  should  write  one  paragraph  of  a  story,  the  next  per- 
son should  write  the  second  paragraph,  etc.,  to  the  end  ol 
the  group.  Later  the  story  of  each  group  will  be  read. 
Another  plan  might  be  to  have  each  one  present  write 
203 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

a  paragraph  of  a  story  and  have  as  many  stories  written 
as  there  are  people. 

Twisted  Trees. — Slips  of  paper  should  be  passed  hav- 
ing on  them  names  of  trees,  the  letter  in  any  order  but 
the  right  one.     Here  are  some ;  others  will  be  easily  added : 

Epaml.  Nybeo.  Dwntoocoot. 

Kyochir.  .  Neldni.  Cuthetns. 

Liwwol.  Rocyemas.  Onaiglam. 

Agohynam. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertaining,"  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Linscott.) 

The  City  You  Live  In. — These  are  words  ending  in 
"city."  Write  the  description  on  cards,  or  let  one  person 
read  them,  allowing  twenty  or  thirty  seconds  for  the  writing 
of  answers. 

What  city  is  for  few  people?     Scarcity. 

For  happy  people?     Felicity. 

For  chauffeurs?     Velocity. 

For  truthful  people?    Veracity. 

For  greedy  people?     Voracity. 

For  wild  beasts  ?    Ferocity. 

For  home  lovers?     Domesticity. 

For  actors?     Publicity. 

For  wise  people?     Sagacity. 

For  hungry  people?     Capacity. 

For  telegraph  operators?     Electricity. 

For  crowds?     Multiplicity. 

For  nations  ?     Reciprocity. 

For  odd  people?     Eccentricity. 

For  office  seekers  ?     Pertinacity. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertaining,"  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Linscott.) 

Y.  0.  I.  (Your  own  initial.) — Each  player  is  given  a 
slip  of  paper.  At  the  top  of  it  are  written  initials  of  some 
one  who  will  be  present.  Have  under  this  a  list  of  ques- 
tions which  are  to  be  answered.  The  answer  must  consist 
of  only  as  many  words  as  there  are  initials  at  the  top  of 

294 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

the  paper,  and  the  words  must  begin  with  the  initials  in 
their  right  order.     For  example:     "H.  B.  B." 

To  whom  does  this  paper  belong?     Henry  B.  Brown. 

What  is  his  character?     Horrid,  but  bearable. 

What  kind  of  hair  has  he?     Heavy,  burnished  brown. 

Have  about  twenty  questions  like  these. 

(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Jessie  Brancroft.) 

Identifying  the  Poems. — You  can  use  poems  of  any 
author.  The  questions  are  given  to  eacli  guest,  and  he 
should  put  down  the  correct  answer.     For  example: 

Tennyson — 

What  poem  is  it  that  sings  down  the  vale?  "The 
Brook." 

What  is  the  poem  that  honors  a  friend  who  is  gone? 
"In  Memoriam." 

What  is  the  poem  whose  father  is  king?  "The  Prin- 
cess." 

Longfellow — 

What  poem  recalls  King  David?     "A  Psalm  of  Life." 

What  poem  celebrates  a  rural  mechanic?  "The  Village 
Blacksmith." 

What  poem  would  frighten  a  superstitious  crusader? 
"The  Skeleton  in  Armor." 

Whittier— 
What  poem  is  a  winter  experience.     "Snowbound." 
What    is    the    poem    of    a    brave    woman?       "Barbara 
Frietchie." 

What  poem  is  without  footwear?     "The  Barefoot  Boy." 
Many  other  lists  may  be  arranged. 
(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Jessie  Bancroft.) 

A  Drawing  Party. — One  plan  is  to  have  each  one  pres- 
ent draw  a  picture  of  one  Mother  Goose  rhyme  and  the 
others  must  guess  what  rhyme  is  represented. 

After  this  you  could  have  them  draw  flowers,  animals, 
maps,  people,  etc.,  and  guess  what  they  represent  in  the 
same  manner. 

Then  ask  each  one  to  draw  a  map  of  the  State  you  live 
in.     Or  small  outline  maps  of  the  United  States  could  be 

295 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

provided,  and  each  player  asked  to  indicate  the  location 
of  the  following  cities:  Rochester,  Cairo,  Duluth,  Toledo, 
Memphis,  El  Paso,  Spokane,  Cheyenne,  Norfolk,  Hoboken. 
Many  will  miss  some  of  these  by  hundreds  of  miles. 

A  Shakespearean  Romance. — Each  player  is  provided 
with  a  sheet  of  paper  prepared  with  the  following  questions, 
or  the  questions  may  be  indicated  at  the  time.  Each  ques- 
tion is  to  be  answered  with  the  title  of  one  of  Shakespeare's 
plays.  The  player  wins  who  has  the  largest  number  cor- 
rect at  the  end  of  the  time  allotted  for  the  game.  Other 
questions  may  be  devised : 

In  whose  reign  did  the  romance  occur.      (King  Lear.) 
Who  were  the  lovers?     (Romeo  and  Juliet.) 
What  was  their  courtship  like?      (Midsummer  Night's 
Dream.) 

What  was  her  answer  to  his  proposal?  (As  You  lake 
It.) 

About  what  time  of  month  were  they  married  ? 
(Twelfth  Night.) 

Of  whom  did  he  buy  the  ring?     (Merchant  of  Venice.) 
Who  were  the  best  man  and  the  maid  of  honor?     (An- 
tony and  Cleopatra.) 

Who  were  the  ushers?  (The  Two  Gentlemen  of  Ve- 
rona.) 

Who  gave  the  reception.      (Merry  Wives  of  Windsor.) 
In  what  kind  of  place  did  they  live?     (Hamlet.) 
What  was  her  disposition  like?     (The  Tempest.) 
What  was  his  chief  occupation  after  marriage?     (Tam- 
ing o"f  the  Shrew.) 

What  caused  their  first  quarrel?  (Much  Ado  About 
Nothing.) 

What  did  their  courtship  prove  to  be?  (Love's  Labor 
Lost.) 

What  did  their  married  life  resemble?  (A  Comedy  of 
Errors.) 

What  did  they  give  each  other?  (Measure  for  Meas- 
ure.) 

What  Roman  ruler  brought  about  reconciliation  ? 
(Julius  Caesar.) 

290 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

What  did  their  friends  say?  (All's  Well  That  Ends 
Well.) 

(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Jessie  Bancroft.) 

The  Latest  Periodicals. — The  programs  might  be  in  the 
shape  of  a  magazine  with  little  pen  and  ink  sketches  over 
the  cover.  These  questions  may  be  written  inside,  the  an- 
swers of  which  are  the  names  of  magazines: 

1.  One  hundred  years  old.     Century. 

2.  Santa  Claus.     St.  Nicholas. 

3.  Veracity.     Truth. 

4.  One  who  sketches.     Delineator. 

5.  A  prospect.     Outlook. 

6.  What  we  cling  to.     Life. 

7.  Hash.     Review  of  Reviews. 

8.  Prosperity.     Success. 

9.  Money  the  trusts  want.     Everybody's. 

10.  The  suburbs.     Country  Life  in  America. 

1 1 .  What  we  are  proud  to  be.     American. 

12.  Pertaining  to  the  biggest  city.     Metropolitan. 

13.  What  influences  politicians.      Current  Opinion. 

14.  Intellectual  pepsin  tablets.     The  Literary  Digest. 

15.  What  poor  folks  would  like  to  be.     Independent. 

16.  A  black  that  makes  the  newspapers  read.  Printer's 
Ink. 

17.  The  last  mail  of  the  week.    Saturday  Evening  Post. 

18.  The  work  which  is  done  underground.     Collier's. 

19.  A  citizen  of  the  world.     Cosmopolitan. 

20.  Something  that  is  never  done.     The  World's  Work. 

21.  What  every  Church  member  should  be.  Christian 
Herald. 

22.  What  every  Leaguer  should  read.  The  Epworth 
Herald. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Guessing  Contests.") 

Socials  for  Special  Days. 

St.  Patrick:  His  Day. — The  guests  should  be  asked  to 

come  representing  some  Irish  lady  or  gentleman,  and  also 

to  be  prepared  to  sing  some  Irish  song,  or  tell  some  Irish 

story.     As  the  guests  arrive  the  assumed  name  of  each  may 

297 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTIIIAN. 

be  written  on  a  card  and  put  on  his  back.  For  example: 
Mike  McGinnis  might  go  as  a  policeman;  Handy  Andy  as 
a  waiter;  Robert  Emmet  as  an  orator;  Terence  Mulvaney 
as  a  soldier. 

Readings:  "The  Bells  of  Shannon,"  "The  Blarney 
Stone,"  selections  from  "Handy  Andy."  Songs:  "The 
Minstrel  Boy,"  "The  Harp  That  Once  Through  Tara's 
Halls,"  "The  Wearing  of  the  Green." 

Souvenirs  might  be  tin  spoons  with  green  ribbon.  One 
game  should  be  the  Irish  potato  race.  If  possible,  have 
green  tissue-paper  napkins. 

Refreshments  may  be  wafers  tied  with  green  ribbon, 
olives  and  pickles,  Irish  potato  chips  served  on  lettuce 
leaves ;  green  tea  and  lady  fingers  tied  with  green  ribbon, 
and  green  ribbon  candy. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertaining,"  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Linscott.) 

The  Army  Camp  Fire. — This  should  be  held  in  a  large 
place.  Find  as  many  Christmas  trees  as  possible  to  set  up 
through  the  room  to  make  it  have  the  appearance  of  an 
encampment  grounds.  Put  a  tent  here  and  there.  Have 
signs  reading  "Sandwiches,"  "Doughnuts,"  and  "Coffee" 
placed  at  some  of  the  tents.  It  would  be  fine  if  you  could 
fix  up  a  couple  of  camp  fires — four-feet  sticks  and  red  and 
white  electric  lights. 

Have  some  one  give  some  bugle  calls  on  a  cornet.  It 
would  be  interesting  if  you  could  have  members  of  the 
Grand  Army  Post  talk  on  the  subject,  "Army  Life  During 
the  Civil  War."     Sing  army  songs. 

A  Dickens'  Evening. — This  should  be  on  February  7th, 
Dickens'  birthday.  Have  the  guests  come  in  costumes 
representing  a  character  of  one  of  his  books,  or  the  title 
of  one. 

Have  the  refreshments  as  English  as  possible.  Have 
candle  light  only.  Serve  individual  meat  pies,  if  it  is  to 
be  a  supper ;  also  orange  marmalade  with  seed  cakes,  rye 
bread,  and  there  are  many  other  dishes  appropriate  for  this 
occasion. 

298 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

When  the  guests  arrive  take  their  character  names. 
Later  pass  around  pencils  and  cards,  and  the  company  will 
guess  the  characters  represented.  The  prize  might  be  a 
framed  picture  of  Dickens. 

Decorations  may  be  British  flags;  have  English  china, 
if  possible,  or  any  pewter  you  can  get. 

Some  of  Dickens'  writings  may  be  read  aloud. 

English  prints  will  help  you  in  planning  the  costumes. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Ellye  H.  Glover.) 

Lincoln's  Birthday. — In  sending  out  invitations,  tell  the 
guests  to  come  in  costumes  of  1860.  Make  simplicity  the 
keynote,  both  in  the  decorations  and  the  menu.  If  you 
serve  dinner,  use  a  log  cabin  for  the  centerpiece  and  sur- 
round it  with  a  rail  fence.  The  place-cards  may  be  little 
black  china  dolls  with  red  and  blue  checked  -  gingham 
dresses.  Put  the  quotation,  "With  malice  toward  none,  with 
charity  toward  all,"  on  the  place-cards.  Drape  a  flag  above 
the  table,  and  give  each  guest  a  little  silk  flag  for  the  button- 
hole or  the  hair. 

The  program  should  include  songs  of  the  war  period, 
most  of  which  are  well  known.  Tell  some  of  Lincoln's 
anecdotes. 

During  the  evening  some  one  may  read,  "O,  Why 
Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  Be  Proud?"  Lincoln's  favorite 
poem. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Glover.) 

St.  Patrick's  Dinner. — Place-cards  should  be  shamrocks 
and  green  candles  should  light  the  tables.  Menu  cards 
ought  to  be  printed  in  green. 

"The  Grub:"  Mulligatawny  soup,  emeraud  olives,  Ould 
Sod  celery,  roasf  pig,  Irish  potatoes,  green  peas,  spring 
greens,  rye  puffs  with  Dublin  sauce,  Killarney  salad, 
wafers,  "brick"  ice  cream,  mortar  cake,  Roquefort  cheese, 
saltines,  demi  tasse,  grapes  in  Cork,  Irish  mereshams. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"  Chesley.) 

Washington's  Birthday  Party. — Have  at  the  top  of  the 
invitations  a   print  of  Mount  Vernon,  with  the   Stars   and 

299 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAX. 

Stripes  crossed  beneath  the  chandelier.  A  host  and  hostess 
may  be  dressed  as  George  and  Martha.  As  the  guests 
arrive,  give  the  girls  quaint  caps  like  Martha's,  with  a  fichu, 
both  being  made  from  white  crepe  paper.  Each  boy  may 
get  a  cocked  hat  and  a  belt  and  sword. 

The  rooms,  of  course,  will  be  decorated  with  flags.  The 
place-cards  may  be  little  hatchets.  Souvenirs  may  be  cherry 
log  candy  boxes  with  candied  cherries. 

Short  speeches:  "A  New  Version  of  the  Cherry  Tree 
Story,"  "Home  Life  at  Mount  Vernon  As  I  Imagine  It," 
"If  George  Could  See  the  City  Named  After  Him,"  "What 
He  Would  Think  of  His  Name  State."  Take  a  ballot  vote 
on  "What  Was  Washington's  Greatest  Quality;"  exchange, 
read,  and  count. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Glover.) 

Historic  Lovers. — This  is  a  most  interesting  Valentine 
party.  You  coidd  have  your  invitation  read  thus:  "Romeo 
and  Juliet  desire  your  presence  at  dinner  on  the  night  of 
February  14-th,  at  (hour  to  be  given).  Please  come  attired 
as  Jack.  Jill  will  meet  you  at  our  residence."  Of  course 
each  invitation  is  worded  according  to  the  persons.  Others 
invited  might  be  Paul  and  Virginia,  Dante  and  Beatrice, 
Cinderella  and  the  Prince,  Punch  and  Judy,  George  Wash- 
ington and  Martha,  John  Alden  and  Priscilla,  Hiawatha 
and  Minnehaha,  Ruth  and  Jacob,  Ivanhoe  and  Rebecca  (or 
Rowena),  David  Copperfield  and  Dora,  Robert  and  Eliza- 
beth Browning. 

Each  lover  might  write  a  formal  proposal  to  his  com- 
panion, and  she  might  write  an  acceptance  or  a  refusal. 
The  note  paper,  of  course,  should  be  decorated  with  hearts. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Glover.) 

A  Polar  Evening. — This  is  good  for  a  hot  day.  The 
invitations  can  be  made  very  attractive.  Show  an  airship 
pointing  toward  a  snow  mountain  where  a  polar  bear  stands 
holding  a  flag,  on  which  is  "North  (or  South)  Pole."  On 
the  airship  could  be  printed  either  Peary  or  Amundsen,  or 
both. 

.S00 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

The  guests  may  be  fined  ten  cents  (for  the  Chapter's 
Social  Service  Fund)  if  they  mention  hot  weather.  On 
their  arrival  serve  iced  grape  juice.  Drape  the  dining-room 
in  white;  chairs  also.  Put  a  white  canvas  or  sheets  on  the 
floor.  Get  a  huge  cake  of  ice  to  serve  as  a  centerpiece,  con- 
cealing the  pan  which  holds  it  with  ferns  and  vines.  Serve 
the  refreshments  on  white  china,  everything  cold,  of  course. 

For  program:  "My  coldest  experience" — several  actual 
happenings,  told  by  people  previously  appointed.  "The 
Wreck  of  the  Hesperus" — a  reading.  "Sleighing  Song," 
by  a  quartet,  all  joining  in  the  chorus.  Extracts  from 
"Snowbound." 

Parlor  snowball:  Cotton  batting  balls,  loosely  bound 
with  thread,  and  thrown  at  various  targets,  animate  and 
inanimate,  sides  being  chosen  and  scores  kept. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Glover.) 

The  Annual  Banquet. — Once  a  year  have  an  inexpensive 
but  carefully  planned  and  attractive  banquet.  The  refresh- 
ments need  not  be — should  not  be — elaborate.  The  chief 
feature  of  the  banquet  should  bear  directly  on  the  work  of 
the  Chapter.  The  banquet  may  be  varied  with  each  year 
according  to  the  custom  obtaining  with  regard  to  wedding 
anniversaries.  There  are  Chapters  which  can  celebrate 
their  crystal  anniversary,  while  others  are  but  a  year  old 
and  must  begin  with  the  cotton  anniversary. 

Carnival  of  Seasons. — This  is  a  good  social  for  the  fall, 
and  should  be  held  in  a  barn.  Decorate  with  autumn 
foliage.  Have  four  booths  for  the  seasons.  Spring  should 
be  decorated  in  green,  apple  and  peach  blossoms,  if  possible* 
The  younger  members  should  be  in  charge  of  this  booth. 
Summer  booth  should  have  summer  fruits  and  flowers.  Fall 
should  have  many  pumpkins,  green  and  red  apples,  corn- 
stalks, etc.  Winter  may  have  Christmas  tree  decorations. 
Articles  appropriate  to  the  season  can  be  sold. 

A  candy  pull  and  games  will  add  to  the  evening's  enjoy- 
ment. 

Labor  Day  Celebration. — The  guests  might  be  asked 
to  come,  each  wearing  an  article  indicating  his  labor.     For 

301 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

example,  a  teacher  might  come  with  a  ruler,  several  hooks, 
pencil  and  pads,  etc.  The  hanker  might  carry  some  bags 
full  of  toy  coins,  bank  books ;  and  the  druggist  could  bring 
some  bottles  and  some  patent  medicines. 

The  dining-room  may  be  cleverly  decorated.  The  cen- 
terpiece might  be  a  toy  washtub  with  wringer.  A  small 
doll  could  be  standing  by  the  tub,  washing.  A  clothes  line 
may  be  extended  to  small  poles  at  the  four  corners  of  the 
table,  and  have  tiny  garments  pinned  on  the  line. 

For  program  many  ideas  will  suggest  themselves.  "The 
Village  Blacksmith"  has  several  musical  settings ;  Kipling's 
"McAndrews'  Hymn"  is  good  reading,  and  for  the  darker 
side  of  labor  there  is  Hood's  "Song  of  the  Shirt"  and  Mrs. 
Browning's  "The  Cry  of  the  Children." 

Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments.") 

Holiday  Cards. — One  young  woman  obtained  the  names 
of  those  who  live  in  homes  and  institutions  where  they  have 
no  friends,  and  sent  a  Christmas  card  to  each  one  on  Christ- 
mas Day.  This  is  a  small  thing  to  do,  but  it  brings  cheer 
to  many  a  heart. 

A  Chapter  could  spend  an  evening  preparing  such  cards, 
painting,  printing,  etc.,  and  make  a  number  of  people 
happy,  besides  having  a  good  time  themselves. 

(Adapted  from  "Dame  Curtsey's  Book  of  Novel  Enter- 
tainments," Glover.) 

Hallowe'en  Happenings. — When  the  guests  arrive,  the 
house  should  be  but  dimly  lighted,  and  a  weird  and  mys- 
terious atmosphere  should  prevail.  Red  shades  on  the 
lights,  or  a  red  screen  before  the  open  fire,  give  a  rich  glow. 
The  guests  may  be  received  by  some  one  dressed  as  a  witch, 
or  garbed  in  a  white  sheet  to  represent  a  ghost.  Welcome 
should  be  spoken  in  sepulchral  tones,  and  accompanied  by 
groans  or  wails.  Some  one  may  play  snatches  of  wild, 
weird  music  on  the  piano,  or  strike  occasional  clanging 
notes  from  muffled  gongs.  Jack-o'lanterns  peer  from  un- 
expected places,  and,  if  convenient,  an  iEolian  harp  may  be 
arranged  in  an  open  window.     The  awesomeness  of  effect 

302 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

will   be   sufficiently   relieved   by   the   irrepressible   laughter 
of  the  merry  guests  as  they  arrive. 

The  Initial  Letter. — Pare  an  apple  in  one  continuous 
piece.  Swing  it  slowly  around  your  head  three  times,  and 
let  it  fall  on  the  floor.  The  letter  it  forms  as  it  falls  will 
be  the  initial  of  your  future  fate.  This  incantation  should 
be  pronounced  as  the  experiment  is  tried: 

"Paring,  paring,  long  and  green, 
Tell  my  fate  for  Hallowe'en." 

The  mirror  is  another  test.  A  girl  must  stand  with 
her  back  to  a  mirror,  and,  looking  over  her  shoulder,  repeat 
this  charm: 

"Mirror,  mirror,  tell  to  me 
Who  my  future  Fate  may  be. 
Ere  the  magic  moments  pass, 
Frame  his  picture  in  the  glass. 

A  merry  trick  is  Blowing  out  the  Candle.  A  boy  and 
a  o-irl  may  try  this  at  the  same  time.  Each  must  be  blind- 
folded, and  after  turning  around  three  times,  may  try  to 
blow  out  a  lighted  candle. 

Counting  the  Seeds  is  a  game  all  may  play  at  once. 
Each  is  given  an  apple,  which  is  at  once  cut  in  two,  cross- 
ways,  and  the  seeds  counted.  If  two  seeds  are  found,  it 
portends  an  early  marriage ;  three  indicates  a  legacy ;  four, 
great  wealth;  five,  an  ocean  trip;  six,  great  public  fame; 
seven,  the  possession  of  any  gift  most  desired  by  the  finder. 

Nutshell  Boats  make  a  pretty  test  of  fortune.  In  the 
half-shells  of  English  walnuts  are  fitted  masts  made  of 
matches  and  tiny  paper  sails.  On  each  sail  is  written  the^ 
name  of  a  guest,  and  the  boats  are  set  afloat  in  a  tub  of 
water.  If  two  glide  together,  it  indicates  a  similar  fate 
for  the  owners;  if  one  sails  alone,  it  means  a  lonely  life. 
A  gentle  stirring  up  of  the  water  will  make  the  boats  behave 
in  an  amusing  manner. 

After  merry  and  rollicking  games,  it  is  welcome  rest 
to  sit  down  to  Fagot  stories.  The  hostess  should  have  in 
readiness  a  number  of  small  fagots,  or  bunches  of  small 
dry  twigs,  tied  together  with  a  bit  of  ribbon.     One  should 

303 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

be  given  to  each  guest.  These,  in  turn,  are  thrown  on  the 
fire,  and  each  guest  must  tell  a  story  that  shall  last  as  long 
as  his  or  her  fagot  is  blazing. 

(Adapted     from    "Pleasant-day    Diversions,"    Carolyn 

Wells.) 

Write  rhymes  of  four  or  six  lines  on  thin  paper,  and 
place  in  chestnut  shells.  Tie  together  with  ribbon,  the 
ladies'  in  one  color,  the  gentlemen's  in  another.  If  there 
are  personal  hits  in  the  rhymes,  tie  the  name  of  the  person 
for  whom  each  one  is  intended  on  the  outside  of  the  shell. 

Hide  a  ring,  a  thimble,  and  a  penny  in  the  room.  To 
the  one  who  finds  the  ring,  speedy  marriage  is  assured ;  the 
thimble  denotes  a  life  of  single  blessedness;  the  penny 
promises  wealth. 

Have  one  of  the  young  ladies  who  knows  a  little  palm- 
istry be  the  witch  of  the  evening.  A  short,  bright-hued 
skirt,  a  gay  plaid  shawl  crossed  over  her  shoulders,  a  scarf 
bound  about  her  head,  will  make  a  very  striking  costume, 
and,  with  the  aid  of  a  little  paint  and  powder,  quite  an 
effective  disguise.  If  she  is  enough  acquainted  with  the 
guests  to  give  some  personal  history,  she  can  produce  some 
very  "telling"  fortunes. 

Prepare  a  basket  of  rosy-cheeked  apples,  each  with  the 
initials  of  a  name  pricked  in  the  skin,  which  names  must 
be  used  in  counting  the  apple  seeds. 

After  the  supper  table  has  been  cleared  of  all  except 
the  decorations  and  candles,  have  a  large  dish  filled  with 
burning  alcohol  and  salt  brought  in  and  placed  in  the  center. 
Seated  around  this  ghostly  fire,  all  other  lights  except  the 
candles  having  been  extinguished,  let  the  guests  tell  stir- 
ring stories  rigmarole  fashion ;  that  is,  some  one  starting 
the  story  and  stopping  short  at  its  most  exciting  point  and 
letting  his  neighbor  continue  it,  etc. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertainng,"  Mrs. 
H.  B.  Linscott.) 

Outdoor  Pleasures. 
It  is  a  pity  the  bicycle  is  no  longer  fashionahle,  but  it 
is  no  less  useful  than  it  used  to  be.     A  League  run  to  some 

301 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

place  not  too  remote,  with  lunch  at  the  objective  point  and 
an  hour  or  two  of  rest  before  starting  the  return  trip, 
would  be  a  splendid  day's  fun  for  many  Chapters.  Dress 
sensibly,  wheel  at  a  moderate  pace,  stop  for  a  bit  of  breath 
occasionally,  keep  an  eye  out  for  scenery  and  incidental 
happenings,  be  jolly  over  the  inevitable  mishap,  and  you 
will  come  back  invigorated.  Fifty  miles  for  the  round  trip 
is  an  outside  mark  for  a  day's  run  by  a  mixed  company. 
Thirty  miles  would  be  better,  allowing  for  an  average  pace 
of  six  miles  an  hour.  Do  not  try  century  runs.  They  are 
for  the  faddists,  who  go  camel-humped  over  the  route,  car- 
ing for  nothing  but  to  make  it  in  record  time.  There  is 
no  fun  in  that. 

Walk!  It  is  the  pleasantest  sort  of  outdoor  sociability. 
Dress  for  rough  tramping,  so  that  you  will  not  need  to  be 
anxious  about  the  effect  of  dust  and  mud  and  stony  roads. 
Carry  nothing  that  can  be  spared.  Send  the  lunch  by 
some  sort  of  conveyance  to  the  point  selected — the  home 
of  some  country  member,  or  a  friendly  farmhouse.  Walk 
leisurely, — not  a  bit  over  three  miles  an  hour.  Keep  your 
eyes  open  as  you  go.  Make  a  little  side-excursion  by  the 
way  if  you  feel  so  inclined.  Encourage  one  another.  Sing 
on  the  journey.  Keep  up  a  merry  exchange  of  harmless 
jokes.  Add  each  pedestrian's  mite  to  the  common  stock 
of  outdoor  knowledge.  The  Chapter  which  by  such  methods 
popularizes  the  Epworth  League  Pedestrian  Club  will  do 
much  for  the  health  and  spirits  of  its  members. 

The  Lawn  Social  is  always  available  where  there  are 
"door-yards"  of  real  grass  which  will  stand  a  little  rough 
usage.  If  a  porch  is  properly  situated,  a  bit  of  a  jurogram 
may  be  rendered,  the  porch  being  used  as  a  platform  for 
the  speakers.  Oru  a  platform  may  be  improvised  from 
materials  lying  around  the  place. 

Pedestrian  Sociability. — Hiking  parties  are  great  fun. 
Wear  old  clothes,  so  that  the  dust,  mud,  etc.,  can  not  hurt 
them.  Take  your  time  when  walking,  so  as  not  to  get  tired. 
Singing  on  such  an  occasion  is  always  delightful.  Have  a 
study  of  birds  on  one  trip,  a  study  of  flowers  on  another, 
etc.  This  will  increase  the  health  as  well  as  the  knowledge. 
20  305 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Barn  Social. — This  is,  of  course,  to  be  held  in  a  barn. 
Lanterns  should  be  hung  to  the  rafters— not  the  paper  kind. 
Appropriate  decorations  may  be  used.  The  guests  may  be 
taken  to  the  barn  in  a  hay  wagon.  A  husking  bee  would 
be  a  good  addition  to  the  evening's  pleasure. 

Three  Good  Picnic  Games. — Tennis  volle}r  ball  or  "fist 
ball."  To  be  kept  in  air.  Teams  of  any  number,  two  to 
ten,  line  up  on  opposite  sides  of  a  net  stretched  eight  feet 
high.  Mark  boundaries  of  field  at  points  agreed  upon,  side 
lines  being  at  right  angles  to  net  at  its  end.  Put  ball  in 
play  by  striking  with  palm  or  fist,  sending  it  over  the  net. 
As  long  as  it  is  kept  in  the  air  and  returned  to  the  other 
side  of  net,  it  is  in  play.  When  it  drops,  or  is  hit  into  net 
or  out  of  bounds,  the  other  side  scores  one.  Fellow  players 
may  toss  the  ball  to  one  another  in  order  to  get  it  over. 
Ball  must  not  be  caught  or  held,  or  struck  otherwise  than 
with  the  hands.  In  starting  the  play  a  ball  that  touches 
the  net  as  it  goes  over  is  a  "let,"  and  is  served  over.  In 
play  if  the  ball  goes  over  after  touching  the  net,  it  remains 
in  play.  The  side  which  first  scores  twenty-one  wins  the 
game. 

Baseball  played  by  kicking  a  football  instead  of  batting ; 
otherwise  same  as  baseball.     Use  indoor  baseball  rules. 

Playground  ball  or  "indoor"  ball.  Everybody  knows 
how  to  play  it. 

A  Country  Dinner. — Plan  a  meeting  at  a  farmhouse. 
Have  an  old-fashioned  dinner,  with  fried  chicken,  mashed 
potatoes,  cream  gravy,  hot  biscuits,  jelly,  etc.  Have  some 
toasts,  such  as,  "What  I  know  about  fishing,"  "Green  fields 
and  running  brooks,"  "School  is  out,"  and  many  others  may 
be  thought  of. 

Sing  old-fashioned  songs.  If  the  house  is  far  away,  you 
might  go  in  a  hay  wagon,  but  go  in  a  crowd. 

Rambles. — Make  these  hiking  parties  with  a  purpose. 
One  time  the  members  may  study  wild  flowers,  another  time 
birds,  then  trees,  or  historical  places.  There  should  always 
be  an  expert  along  with  the  party  to  describe  things.  A 
corn  roast  may  be  used  on  some  of  these  rambles  at  the 
right  season.     On  one  day  let  the  girls  go  in  one  direction, 

30G 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

the  boys  in  another,  all  returning  to  the  church  for  an  even- 
ing social,  with  a  few  speeches  in  which  experiences  will  be 
exchanged. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"  Albert  Chesley.) 

A  Community  Field  Day. — This  is  an  event  for  every 
one,  children  as  well  as  grown-ups.  School  pennants  and 
flags  might  be  used  as  decorations.  Cheers,  "yells,"  and 
songs  should  be  planned.  If  the  amusements  are  interest- 
ing enough,  no  one  will  have  to  be  made  to  do  things,  but 
they  will  want  to  enter  into  everything.  Some  good  games 
are  volley  ball,  tether  ball,  prisoner's  base,  relay  races, 
captain  ball,  quoits,  corner  ball,  potato  race,  throwing  ball 
into  barrel,  tug-of-war. 

Of  course,  the  picnic  lunch  is  very  important  and  should 
be  carefully  planned.' 

Adapted  from  "Year-Book  of  Playgrounds,"  1908,  Miss 
Cora  B.  Clark. 

Tennis  Tournament. — The  Department  of  Recreation 
can  use  this  idea  to  good  advantage.  The  tournament  may 
enlist  anywhere  from  six  to  forty  players.  If  it  extends 
over  a  number  of  days  or  weeks,  the  spirit  grows.  Of 
course,  everything  must  be  fair  and  free  from  unpleasant 
rivalry. 

The  Picnic. — This  has  been  so  often  a  dismal  failure 
that  it  is  not  properly  estimated  by  many  people.  When 
it  is  too  big  and  too  laborious,  it  is  a  most  exquisite  form 
of  social  torture.  But  it  can  be  made  to  furnish  social  re- 
sources of  the  highest  order.  Do  not  undertake  too  much. 
Do  not  strain  a  point  to  secure  a  big  crowd.  Do  not  make 
the  mistake  of  dividing  up  into  groups.  Have  all  things  in 
common.  If  that  is  not  possible,  the  company  is  too  large 
or  ill-assorted,  and  the  picnic  will  be  only  a  moderate  suc- 
cess. Be  sure  to  include  the  old  but  favorite  races,  the 
sack  race,  the  potato  race,  the  blindfold  race,  and  the  other 
producers  of  athletic  hilarity. 

Camping  Out. — No  better  way  to  invest  some  of  the 
vacation  time  can  be  imagined  than  in  a  sojourn  in  the 
woods  or  by  the  lake.      An   Epworth   League  camp  is  one 

307 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  the  most  delightful  of  summer  resorts.  A  group  of  con- 
genial young  folk,  with  two  or  three  older  folk  for  com- 
pany and  counsel,  can  have  a  "glorious  time"  at  small  cost. 

The  Holiday  Tour. — Travel  in  a  party,  properly  chap- 
eroned. The  English  young  people's  societies  do  this 
admirably.  True,  they  have  many  points  of  interest  at 
short  distances  from  their  homes,  but  so  have  many  of  our 
Chapters.  Some  of  these  English  young  folks  go  to  the 
lake  district,  to  Scotland,  to  London,  to  Paris,  and  even  to 
Switzerland,  Norway,  and  up  the  Rhine.  But  many  of 
our  Chapters  are  near  places  of  great  natural  beauty  or 
historical  significance.  Visit  a  near-by  city,  or  a  Chau- 
tauqua assembly,  or  a  camp-meeting.  A  Chapter  which 
one  summer  rented  a  cottage  at  a  camp-meeting  for  its  mem- 
bers found  the  investment  a  profitable  one  in  many  ways. 

Bringing  Outdoors  Indoors. 

Baseball  Game  of  Buzz. — This  is  the  old  game  of  buzz, 
played  in  imitation  of  baseball.  In  buzz,  a  number  is 
selected  which,  with  its  multiple,  is  not  to  be  repeated  as  a 
company  of  players  count  in  turn  the  numbers  from  1  up, 
but,  instead  of  which,  "buzz"  is  to  be  said.  If  4  be  the 
number,  the  players,  seated  in  a  circle,  will  say,  "1,  2,  3, 
buzz,  5,  0,  7,  buzz,"  etc.  In  this  game  the  players,  who 
may  be  eighteen  or  less,  are  on  two  even  sides.  The  chairs 
for  one  side  are  arranged  in  relative  position  like  the  dia- 
mond of  a  baseball  field.  The  other  side  is  seated  in  a  row 
in  a  position  corresponding  to  the  batter's  bench.  The  man 
at  the  bat  goes  and  stands  at  the  "plate."  The  numbers 
are  now  repeated  in  turn  down  the  bench  and  around  the 
bases  and  field,  the  "buzz"  number  being  selected  for  each 
inning  by  the  side  at  bat.  If  one  of  the  sides  in  the  field 
makes  an  error,  the  batter  takes  the  next  base  until  he  has 
made  a  run,  which  is  scored.  Then  another  batter  takes 
his  place.  If  the  batting  side  makes  an  error,  the  batter 
is  out,  and  when  three  are  out  the  sides  exchange  places. 

(From  "Indoor  Games  for  Boys,"  Baker.) 

A  Game  With  Clothespins. — Two  sides  face  each  other. 
A  basket  which  contains  twelve  clothespins  is  at  the  head  of 

308 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

each  line.  Each  player  must  hold  the  next  player's  left 
hand ;  thus  every  one's  right  hand  is  free  for  passing.  The 
pins  are  passed  down  the  line  one  at  a  time.  If  one  is 
dropped,  the  one  who  dropped  it  must  pick  it  up  and  pass  it 
on.  When  the  last  player  gets  the  pin,  he  puts  it  on  the  floor 
until  the  twelve  are  there.  Then  he  starts  them  back  again 
in  the  same  way.  The  side  which  finishes  first  is  the  winner. 
(Adapted  from  "Indoor  Games  for  Boys,"  Baker.) 

Screen. — This  may  be  played  over  a  screen  in  the  house, 
or  a  fence  out  of  doors.  What  it  is  should  be  high  enough 
so  that  the  players  can  not  see  each  other.  The  players 
are  divided  into  two  groups,  each  side  having  an  umpire, 
who  should  keep  the  score  of  the  opponents.  The  ball  must 
be  thrown  back  and  forth  over  the  screen  and  must  not  drop 
to  the  floor  or  the  ground.  Opponents  will  score  one  point 
if  the  ball  does  touch  the  floor.  The  winning  point  is  21. 
It  is  a  modified  form  of  volley  ball.  If  played  indoors,  the 
ball  should  be  very  light  and  soft. 

(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Bancroft.) 

The  Stray  Sheep. — The  players  must  stand  in  a  circle, 
and  one  walks  around  the  outside  and  asks  some  one,  "Have 
you  seen  my  sheep?"  The  one  asked  says,  "How  was  he 
dressed?"  The  questioner  describes  the  way  some  one  in 
the  circle  is  dressed,  and  if  the  one  questioned  names  the 
right  player,  the  one  named  must  run  around  the  outside 
of  the  circle,  chased  by  the  one  who  guessed.  He  runs  to 
his  own  place.  If  caught,  he  takes  the  place  of  the  ques- 
tioner. For  example:  The  description  might  say  he  wore 
a  gray  suit,  red  necktie,  low  shoes,  etc.  Every  one  must 
be  alert. 

(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Bancroft.) 

The  Indoor  "Picnic. — Invitations  may  be  sent  out  on 
brown  paper.  Unique  plans  might  be  worked  out  for  these. 
One  suggestion  is  to  have  the  address  on  the  first  page  of 
the  invitations ;  on  the  second  page,  "Summer  Attire,"  and 
on  the  third  could  be  the  invitation  itself.  The  girls  ought 
to  be  asked  to  bring  luncheon  for  two. 

Number  the  baskets  and  also  the  young  nun,  and  at 
309 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  proper  time  the  girl  will  find  a  young  man  with  her 
basket. 

By  means  of  signs,  the  guests  can  be  directed  to  a 
bowling  alley,  which  proves  to  be  a  small  set  of  nine-pins ; 
to  the  shooting  gallery,  where  they  will  find  a  rubber  tipped 
arrow.  Parlor  croquet  does  the  work  for  the  croquet 
grounds. 

Boughs  of  trees  will  add  to  the  picnic  atmosphere ;  also 
a  lemonade  well,  made  out  of  a  wash-tub. 

The  lights  can  be  put  out  one  by  one,  giving  the  effect 
of  approaching  night. 

(Adapted  from  "Eighty  Pleasant  Evenings.") 

A  Parlor  Field  Meet. — 

1.  One-yard  dash. — Push  a  penny  with  your  nose  one 
yard  across  the  floor. 

2.  Tug-of-war. — Tie  a  raisin  in  the  middle  of  a  long 
piece  of  string,  and  each  contestant  starts  at  the  end  of  the 
string  and  chews  it  and  sees  who  can  get  to  the  raisin  first. 

3.  Hurdle  Race. — Several  contestants  take  six  needles 
and  see  who  can  thread  them  first. 

1.  Drinking  Race. — You  must  see  who  can  drink  a  glass 
of  water  by  means  of  a  spoon  and  get  through  first. 

5.  Cracker-eating  Contest  (for  girls  only). — Have  ten 
girls  on  each  side.  Each  girl  lias  a  cracker.  Start  the  first 
girl  on  each  side  at  the  signal.  The  winner  is  the  one  who 
can  eat  her  dry  cracker  and  whistle  first.  The  side  which 
finishes  its  ten  crackers  captures  the  prize. 

6.  Shot-put. — A  race  in  which  each  contestant  puts 
buckshot  into  a  pill  bottle,  one  shot  at  a  time. 

7.  Parlor  Football. — An  extension  table,  an  empty  egg- 
shell ;  the  players  kneeling,  chins  on  a  level  with  the  table ; 
the  "ball"  to  be  advanced  to  the  goal  by  blowing.  Two 
goals  out  of  three  decide  the  game. 

(Adapted  from  "Home  Entertaining.") 

Three  Deep. — All  but  two  players  form  two  circles, 
one  inside  the  other,  both  facing  inward.  The  other  two 
players  are  the  runner  and  the  catcher.  The  chaser  tries 
to  tag  the  runner,  and  the  runner  is  safe  if  he  can  stop 
inside   the   circle   in    front   of   any   couple,   thus    making   it 

310 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

"three  deep."     In  that  case,  the  outside  one  is  the  third  one, 
and  he  is  now  the  runner.     He  can  seek  safety  in  the  same 
way.     If  the  chaser  tags  the  runner,  they  change  places,  the 
runner  becoming  chaser  and  vice  versa. 
(Adapted  from  "Games,"  Bancroft.) 

Feather  Volley  Ball. — The  players  form  sides  and  sit 
around  a  table.  A  little  feather  is  tossed  into  the  air  in 
the  middle.  The  players  of  each  side  should  have  as  their 
aim  to  blow  the  feather  so  that  it  will  rest  in  the  other 
camp,  and  not  let  it  settle  in  their  own.  This  will  give 
every  one  a  hilarious  time.  Players  must  not  leave  their 
seats. 

(Adapted  from  "Home  Games.") 

Tennis  Tournament  Party. — Decorations  should  be  ten- 
nis racquets  and  nets,  also  red  and  white  flowers.  Use 
small  cardboard  racquets,  on  which  you  will  write  the  invi- 
tations. Have  a  large  net  stretched  across  the  room  and 
put  in  this  net  red  and  white  pasteboard  racquets,  each  one 
being  tied  to  several  yards  of  red  and  white  ribbon,  and 
tangle  them  up.  The  guests  should  wind  up  the  ribbon 
on  the  racquets  and  get  as  many  as  possible  without  break- 
ing the  ribbon. 

Distribute  cards  and  ask  each  to  write  a  tennis  pun  or 
joke.  You  should  get  several  better  than  these:  "Tennis 
is  the  frankest  of  games;  it  calls  love  nothing."  "A  guinea 
fowl  can  make  a  bigger  racket  than  Wright  and  Ditson." 
"Why  should  an  expert  waiter  be  a  success  at  tennis?  Be- 
cause there  \s  no  flaw  in  his  service."  "Why  are  the  king's 
purse-bearers  like  a  tennis  ball  in  play?  Because  they 
must  stay  in  the  court  to  count." 

Refreshments  may  be  served  in  tennis  racquets.  If  in 
summer,  serve  lemonade  and  wafers,  and  if  in  winter,  coffee 
and  cake. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertaining,"  Lins- 
cott.) 

A  Baseball  Party. — This  is  a  dinner  party.  Nine  guests 
should  be  present,  making  the  necessary  "nine."  Each  one 
may  be  assigned  to  a  place  on  the  "team"  and  may  find  his 

311 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

place  at  the  table  in  that  way.  There  should  be  small 
"fans"  with  the  word  on  them,  such  as  "catcher,"  "pitcher," 
etc.  There  should  be  nine  courses  in  the  menu  (innings). 
Little  booklets  with  "Official  Score"  written  or  printed  on 
them  may  be  used  as  menu  cards,  putting  in  simply  the  ball 
terms.     This  is  the  menu: 

First  inning:  First  strike — oyster  cocktail.  Second  in- 
ning: Where  the  losing  team  lands — soup.  Third  inning: 
Caught  on  the  fly — small  trout  with  diamonds  of  crisp  toast. 
Fourth  inning:  A  sacrifice — lamb  chops  with  potato  balls. 
Fifth  inning:  A  "fowl"  ball — chicken  croquettes  with 
French  peas.  Sixth  inning:  The  umpire  when  we  lose — 
lobster  salad  with  cheese  straws.  Seventh  inning:  A  fine 
diamond — ice  cream  in  diamond-shaped  slices ;  cake.  Eighth 
inning:  Necessary  for  good  playing — preserved  ginger  with 
wafers  and  coffee.  Ninth  inning:  Everybody  scores — the 
passing  of  favors. 

(Adapted  from  "Bright  Ideas  for  Entertaining,"  Lin- 
scott.) 

Indoor  Baseball. — The  company  is  divided  into  two 
groups.  Play  the  game  with  small  leaden  disks,  which 
should  be  thrown  upon  boards  two  by  three  feet.  Three 
sides  of  this  board  are  enclosed  by  strips  so  that  the  disks 
will  not  roll  off.  Have  the  board  marked  and  the  sections 
named :  Home  run,  base  on  balls,  stolen  base,  two-base  hit, 
out  on  base,  three-base  hit,  foul  and  out,  one-base  hit, 
struck  out,  fly  caught.  This  should  be  played  very  much 
like  indoor  baseball. 

Camp  Delights. — A  most  enjoyable  evening  in  camp 
may  be  spent  in  having  an  imitation  of  high  school  or  col- 
lege Commencement  exercises.  You  could  have  your  ora- 
tions, camp  history,  camp  prophecy,  presentation  of  gifts, 
camp  songs,  etc.  The  same  idea  can  be  adapted  to  the 
Chapter  room  and  the  Chapter  organization.  Work  at  a 
complete  "class  day"  or  Commencement  program. 

(Adapted  from  "Social  Activities,"   Chesley.) 

Lengthening  the   Membership   Roll. 
A  normal  Epwortli  League  Chapter  is  in  constant  need 
of  new  members.     In  the  first  place  there  will  be  a  gradual 

3  1  ^ 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

withdrawal  from  the  active  work  of  the  Chapter  of  those 
who  have  been  longest  connected  with  it.  They  will  become 
more  and  more  advisory  and,  in  a  sense,  honorary  members, 
giving  their  active  service  to  other  interests  of  the  Church. 
Their  places  must  be  filled  by  the  coming  in  of  new 
members. 

In  the  second  place,  an  Epworth  League  Chapter  is 
essentially  a  missionary  organization.  It  is  not  to  be  con- 
tent with  interesting  and  helping  those  who  are  already 
enrolled  on  its  record.  Like  the  Church  itself,  the  Chapter 
must  go  out  among  those  who  have  not  yet  been  reached 
and  enlist  their  interest  and  their  co-operation,  in  order 
that  it  may  win  them  to  the  highest  standard  of  Christian 
experience  in  life. 

Where  are  the  new  members  to  be  found?  The  com- 
prehensive answer  is,  everywhere.  The  Fourth  Department 
should  let  no  opportunity  escape  of  learning  the  name  and 
the  location  of  every  probable  recruit.  Strangers  coming 
into  town  should  be  visited  at  the  first  possible  moment. 
There  are  already  young  people  in  the  community  who 
are  frequently  at  the  League  meetings,  no  doubt,  but  have 
never  been  asked  to  join.  Some  members,  by  reason  of 
their  association  in  business  or  school  with  other  young 
people,  can  make  out  lists  of  special  classes,  clerks  in 
stores,  the  young  men  in  factories  and  business  houses, 
young  women  who  are  in  business  or  domestic  service, 
students  of  all  the  educational  institutions  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  other  classes. 

There  are  two  other  most  important  sources  of  supply. 
First,  the  Junior  League.  The  Junior  League  members 
are  very  rapidly  growing  up.  Every  year  many  of  them 
are  ready  to  leave  the  Junior  ranks.  Do  not  let  them  be 
lost  to  the  young  people's  work  at  the  time  when  they 
feel  themselves  too  old  for  the  Junior  League.  It  would 
be  a  glorious  thing  if  every  Junior  League  Chapter  could 
arrange  for  annual  graduation,  and  if  it  could  be  under- 
stood that  entrance  into  the  membership  of  the  Epworth 
League  is  as  much  a  matter  of  course  as  is  the  going  from 
the  Primary  Department  into  the  older  classes  of  the  Sun- 
day school. 

313 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Second,  the  revival.  Wherever  young  people  are  being 
converted  and  forsaking  sin  and  turning  to  God,  there 
is  a  fruitful  field  in  which  to  secure  new  members  for  the 
Epworth  League.  The  great  problem  of  the  Church  to-day 
is,  "What  shall  be  done  with  our  probationers?"  If  every 
young  person  who  becomes  a  probationer  should  at  the  same 
time  become  an  Epworthian,  with  a  definite  place  in  some 
department  of  the  Chapter's  work,  and  with  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  fellowship  and  membership  which  the  Epworth 
League  provides,  there  would  soon  be  a  noticeable  decrease 
in  the  number  of  probationers  dropped  from  the  rolls. 
Should  the  Epworth  League  be  particular  concerning  the 
new  material  it  gets?  Yes  and  no.  There  should  be  no 
"rushing"  of  members,  no  throwing  out  of  the  drag-net 
merely  in  order  to  get  as  many  members  as  possible.  And 
yet  the  ideal  aim  is  to  secure  every  young  person  in  the 
community  who  is  not  already  affiliated  with  some  other 
young  people's   society. 

This  aim  is  not  to  be  sought  simply  to  get  a  big  mem- 
bership list,  but  in  order  that  the  real  purposes  of  the 
Epworth  League  may  be  accomplished  both  in  and  through 
the  young  people. 

The  work  of  canvassing  for  new  members  has  no  spe- 
cial season.  It  can  be  carried  on  continually,  although 
there  may  be  times  when  a  special  effort  is  both  possible 
and  desirable.  The  chairman  of  the  Fourth  Department 
who  desires  to  make  a  success  of  this  part  of  the  work 
will  look  carefully  over  the  territory.  Members  of  the 
committee  will  be  assigned  to  such  special  districts  or  spe- 
cial classes  of  young  people  as  may  best  secure  the  end 
desired.  Some  will  be  assigned  to  make  a  canvass  of 
Sunday  schools.  Every  member  of  the  Sunday  school  who 
is  of  proper  age  should  be  in  the  Epworth  League  Chapter. 
Special  attention  ought  to  be  paid  to  the  young  men's  class 
and  to  the  young  people  who  are  already  members  of  the 
Church. 

Sometimes  good  results  are  secured  by  asking  one  mem- 
ber, or  a  club  of  members,  to  aim  at  securing  a  certain 
definite   number  of  new   members — three,  or   five,   or   ten. 

Membership  contests  have  been  tried  with  very  excel- 
314 


CULTURE  AND   RECREATION. 

lent  results  in  many  Chapters.  Their  use  should  be  safe- 
guarded very  carefully,  however,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
employment  of  questionable  methods  during  the  contest, 
and  a  reaction  and  consequent  lack  of  interest  when  the 
contest  is  over.  The  usual  method  of  conducting  a  mem- 
bership contest  is  to  divide  the  present  membership  into 
two  sections,  each  under  the  leadership  of  a  captain.  A 
time-limit  is  set,  usually  varying  from  one  to  six  months, 
and  each  side  strives  b}r  every  possible  means  to  secure 
applications  for  membership.  At  the  close  of  the  contest 
the  section  which  has  secured  the  most  members  is  enter- 
tained by  the  other  section  at  some  kind  of  a  social  gather- 
ing. To  this  the  new  members  are  heartily  invited.  The 
occasion  may  also  be  signalized  by  the  proper  reception 
of  the  new  members. 

Wherever  the  pledge  is  used,  let  the  Chapter  be  quite 
as  eager  to  secure  associate  members  as  it  is  to  secure 
active  members.  Associate  members  are  well  on  the  way 
toward  complete  acceptance  of  all  that  the  League  stands 
for,  and  it  is  a  mistaken  policy  to  keep  down  the  number 
of  associate  members.  But,  of  course,  insist  that  associate 
membership  is  not  a  permanent  arrangement.  An  associate 
member  should  not  be  satisfied  to  remain  such,  nor  should 
the  Chapter  be  willing  to  keep  associate  members  per- 
manently in  that  relation. 

The  work  is  not  all  done  when  the  new  members  are 
elected  and  have  signed  the  Constitution.  They  are  yet 
to  be  "broken  in,"  and  on  the  experience  of  their  first 
few  weeks  in  the  Chapter  will  depend  very  largely  their 
enjoyment  of  the  new  relation  and  their  usefulness  in  the 
Chapter's  work.  The  very  best  place  to  complete  the  work " 
of  strengthening  the  Chapter's  hold  on  its  new  member:; 
is  the  devotional  meeting.  In  that  meeting  the  fellowship 
fact  must  be  abundant,  and  opportunity  must  be  tactfullv 
given  to  the  new  members  for  participation.  When  neces- 
sary, this  may  be  done  gradually  and  by  indirect  methods. 
Do  not  make  the  mistake  of  asking  an  inexperienced  and 
shy  new  member  to  take  the  entire  responsibility  of  con- 
ducting a  devotional  meeting  the  week  after  he  or  she 
has   been   received.      Use   such   methods   in   the   devotional 

315 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

meeting  as  will  make  it  possible  for  the  more  backward  and 
bashful  to  take  some  part  at  the  very  outset. 

An  important  element  in  making  new  members  feel 
at  home  is  that  they  should  be  provided  with  some  definite 
share  in  the  work.  No  person  who  is  satisfied  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Chapter  at  all  need  be  without  a  con- 
genial and  useful  share  in  its  activities. 

The  new  members  will  be  a  little  hesitating  at  first. 
No  stranger  enjoys  making  advances  toward  better  ac- 
quaintances. The  Chapter  members  must  see  to  it  that 
there  is  prompt  and  cordial  recognition  of  new  members 
at  every  possible  opportunity.  The  welcome  which  they 
receive  at  the  various  meetings  should  be,  if  anything,  a 
little  warmer  than  that  which  is  accorded  to  the  older 
members.  If  possible,  little  distinctions  and  marks  of  spe- 
cial consideration  should  be  shown  until  they  begin  to  feel 
thoroughly  at  home  in  their  new  relationship. 

The  Chapter  misses  a  great  opportunity  if  it  neglects 
to  make  due  recognition  of  the  new  members  when  they 
are  received.  By  all  means  have  a  formal  reception.  It 
need  not  be  elaborate,  but  it  ought  to  be  impressive.  There 
is  no  place,  of  course,  for  the  exaggerated  symbolism  or 
the  boisterousness  which  characterizes  some  initiations.  But 
there  is  room  for  a  dignified,  impressive,  and  memorable 
service. 

Winning  the  School  Folk. 

The  Epworth  League  is  fairly  ready  to  take  John 
Wesley's  advice  and  make  much  of  the  great  occasions. 
But  always  there  is  room  to  do  more  of  it.  Some  Chapters 
pay  particular  and  successful  attention  to  the  important 
days  of  the  school  year. 

The  details  are  not  important,  but  the  idea  is.  It  can 
be  adapted  to  every  town  in  the  country,  for  every  town 
has  schools  and  Commencements  and  graduates. 

And  it  should  be.  The  Epworth  League  must  ever  say, 
"I  am  for  youth,  and  nothing  that  concerns  youth  is  foreign 
to  me."  Besides,  the  young  people  of  the  schools  are  the 
very  people  who  own  the  League.  They  are  young,  and 
they  are  learners.  What  other  qualifications  do  they  need 
to  give  them  title  to  the   Epworth  League's  ministrj  '• 

816 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

When  the  League  has  served  them,  it  can  with  entire 
appropriateness  invite  them  to  accept  its  Master  and  to 
serve  Him.  But  attraction  must  come  before  invitation, 
or  the  invitation  will  have  small  success. 

And  in  every  place  where  young  people  come  together 
to  study  and  to  work  at  a  common  task,  there  is  an  Epworch 
League  opportunity. 

Make  much  of  the  young  folk  of  the  schools ! 

The  Chapter  and  the  Elusive  Young  Man. 

What  do  the  boys  and  young  men  of  your  Church  think 
of  the  League. 

Are  they  in  it  as  actual,  not  nominal  members? 

Are  they  inclined  to  sneer  at  it,  and  to  make  fun  of  it, 
and  to  consider  it  a  milk-and- watery  affair? 

Do  they  love  it,  or  respect  it,  or  patronize  it,  or  belittle 
it,  or  ignore  it? 

If  there  is  anything  unpleasant  in  the  young-man  atti- 
tude to  the  Chapter,  there  's  a  reason.  And  it  is  better  to 
find  the  reason  than  to  scold  the  young  fellows. 

A  young  man  of  sixteen  years  and  upwards — he  is  a 
young  man,  you  know^is  a  strange  new  creature.  He  has 
intense  likes,  and  intenser  dislikes. 

If  he  has  not  been  forced  into  a  mold  of  unthinking 
credulity,  he  prefers  reality  to  second-hand  orthodoxy. 

He  does  not  care  for  religious  "exercises."  He  will  do 
religious  deeds,  when  the  thing  appeals  to  him,  but  he  has 
a  profound  scorn  for  pious  pantomime.  That  is  the  reason 
he  hates  clippings  and  essays  and  the  whole  list  of  arti- 
ficial expedients  employed  in  some  devotional  meetings. 

Very  few  young  men  will  go  into  any  plan  of  study 
unless  they  can  be  shown  the  good  of  it.  And  they  do  not 
reckon  as  anything  particularly  good  the  padding  of  the 
Chapter's  study  class  record. 

He  is  an  unusual  and  not  in  every  sense  wholesome 
young  man  who  excels  in  the  ordinary  forms  of  "mercy 
and  help"  work.  The  average  young  chap  is  awkward  and 
self-conscious  when  he  tries  it,  and  he  does  not  try  it  for 
long.  But  he  has  some  affinity  for  many  forms  of  social 
service. 

317 


THE  EFFICIENT  EP  WORTH  IAN. 

To  rouse  young  men's  enthusiasm  for  recreational  work 
it  must  be  vigorous  rather  than  aesthetic,  physical  rather 
than  intellectual,  and  amusing  rather  than  instructive. 

Very  well;  if  your  Chapter  is  failing  to  win  and  hold 
its  fair  proportion  of  young  men,  the  reason  may  perhaps 
be  found  in  one  of  the  preceding  five  paragraphs.  What 
then? 

It  is  not  a  question  of  wanting  or  not  wanting  the  young 
manhood  of  the  community ;  of  course  the  Chapter  wants 
it.  And  so  the  Chapter's  program  must  be  framed  with 
that  in  mind.  To  frame  it  is  largely  the  Fourth  Vice- 
President's  work. 

At  every  possible  point,  seek  first  to  masculinize  the 
Chapter's  plans  and  work.  Get  expert  help ;  a  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  man  of  sense  will  be  an  invalu- 
able counselor. 

Don't  be  afraid  of  overdoing  it;  that  danger  is  small. 
The  young  women  are  more  ready  to  work  in  the  Chapter 
with  manly  young  fellows  than  with  the  other  sort.  And, 
once  the  young  women  fairly  see  this  situation,  they  will 
be  heart  and  soul  devoted  to  making  the  Chapter's  work 
as  attractive  to  young  men  as  it  is  to  themselves. 

There  is  enough  big  work,  adventurous  work,  and  al- 
luring work  to  be  had  in  the  Epworth  League  as  it  is  now 
constituted  to  give  every  normally  decent  and  human  young 
man  within  its  reach  a  chance  to  be  religious  without  being 
affected,  and  to  render  Christian  service  without  being  self- 
conscious. 

Provide  for  the  young  man ! 

The  Evil  in  Membership  Contests. 

The  thing  that  makes  a  membership  contest  bad  is  the 
ending  of  it. 

To  end  it  on  the  night  when  the  final  scores  are  made, 
or  on  the  night  of  the  "banquet,"  is  to  spoil  it. 

The  purpose  of  a  membership  contest  is  not  points,  nor 
the  winning  of  a  race,  nor  something  to  eat,  but  members. 

And  when  you  have  gained  a  member,  your  work  is  not 
finished ;  it  is  j  ust  begun. 

A  member  is  sought  for  what  the  League  can  give  him, 
318 


CULTURE  AND  RECREATION. 

and  for  what  he  can  give  the  League.  Neither  of  these 
processes  can  begin  until  the  contest  is  over;  they  ought 
to  continue  as  long  as  either  party  has  need  of  the  other. 

Many  a  membership  contest  has  done  much  harm  from 
the  failure  to  think  through  what  it  ought  to  mean.  It 
has  been  a  dismal  failure  because  of  a  mistake  which  was 
first  made  some  time  before  League  membership  contests 
were  invented — the  mistake  of  considering  the  means  more 
important  than  the  end.  That  is  one  of  the  world's  favorite 
blunders.  It  has  led  to  strifes  and  wars.  It  has  overturned 
dynasties  and  ruined  empires.  It  has  retarded  civilization 
and  delayed  the  gospel. 

To  become  more  interested  in  processes  than  results,  and 
to  count  the  machinery  as  more  valuable  than  the  output — 
all  this  is  no  new  thing.  But  it  is  just  as  bad  as  if  it  were 
a  sort  of  folly  first  discovered  and  practiced  by  the  young 
people  of  the  Epworth  League. 

We  shall  not  need  to  be  troubled  about  the  methods  by 
which  members  are  gained  if  we  do  but  keep  in  mind  the 
one  worthy  motive  for  seeking  them. 

Nobody  will  think  of  "gambling"  in  connection  with  a 
membership  contest  if  both  sides  are  keenly  alive  to  the 
problem  of  what  to  do  with  the  new  members,  and  what 
to  do  for  them. 

Nor  can  there  be  any  danger  that  the  new  members 
will  suffer  neglect  at  the  close  of  the  contest  if  the  Chapter 
really  understands  that  the  relation  it  has  sought  to  estab- 
lish has  but  now  begun. 


319 


CHAPTER  XI. 

MAKING  THE   RECORD  AND   FINANC- 
ING THE  WORK. 

The  Epvvorthian  Scribe. 
The    Epworth   League    Secretary   may    easily    be    a    merr 
functionary,  doing  routine  things  in  an  indifferent  fashion. 
But  if  he  will  rise  to  his  privileges  he  may  be  brain  and 
nerves  to  his  Chapter. 

To  him  will  come  the  experiences  and  needs  of  the 
departments  to  be  transformed  into  plans,  reminders,  oppor- 
tunities, and  permanent  achievements.  So  may  he  be  miles 
above  "only  the  Secretary." 

He  is  the  Chapter's  recorder,  historian,  letter-writer, 
reporter,  bookkeeper,  statistician,  custodian  of  supplies,  ad- 
vertising agent,  and  generally  indispensable  official.  The 
officers  in  other  departments  may  be  but  moderate,  re- 
spectably ordinary  people,  without  absolute  ruin  to  the 
work,  but  the  Secretary's  place  demands  genius.  Not  the 
skyrocket  kind,  but  genius  for  plodding,  for  detail,  for 
exactness,  for  promptness,  for  general  alertness,  and  un- 
common common  sense. 

These  qualities,  not  always  inborn,  are  attainable  by 
any  one  who  desires  them  sufficiently,  and  so  are  pre- 
supposed as  present  or  on  the  way  in  the  case  of  every 
Secretary  who  reads  this  Chapter.  It  should  not  be  neces- 
sary to  say  that  the  Secretary  must  be  a  Christian.  Else 
how  can  he  be  a  good  Secretanr  in  an  organization  whose 
vital  principle  is  the  extension  and  intensification  of  the 
Christian  life? 

Supplies. — The  Secretary  will  be  wise  if,  immediately 
upon  his  installation,  he  gets  all  the  supplies  he  needs  for 
his  department  and  for  the  Chapter.  He  will  require  for 
his  own  use  record  books  of  one  or  two  sorts,  scrapbooks. 

320 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

and  stationery.  He  is  the  proper  custodian  of  the  Chapter's 
stock  of  pledge  cards,  topic  cards,  report  blanks,  transfer 
cards,  and  the  like.  These  things  should  not  be  allowed 
to  get  out  of  stock.  They  are  as  cheap  before  they  are 
needed  as  two  weeks  after  the  last  one  is  gone,  and  their 
presence  is  a  wonderful  preservative  of  patience. 

Committee. — The  Secretary  should  ask  each  of  the  four 
Vice-Presidents  to  select  one  member  who  will  be  the  con- 
necting link  between  that  department  and  the  Secretar}^. 
Then,  with  an  additional  helper,  to  whom  it  will  be  safe  to 
intrust  the  advertising  work,  the  Secretary's  committee  is 
complete.  So  far  as  possible,  all  work  with  the  departments 
should  be  done  through  the  members  who  represent  them 
on  this  committee. 

Membership  Record. — This  ought  to  be  complete,  and 
frequently  revised.  The  first  revision  will  probably  be 
needed  the  day  the  book  comes  into  the  Secretary's  hands. 
Eliminate  every  name  that  does  not  stand  for  a  known  and 
definite  membership.  Read  and  apply  to  local  conditions 
Bishop  Vincent's  tract,  "Wayworth  Chapel   Records." 

To  be  complete,  the  membership  record  should  have 
every  member's  name  and  address,  date  of  election  to  mem- 
bership, Church  relation,  and  department  to  which  the  mem- 
ber is  assigned.  If  the  Chapter  uses  the  pledge,  "active" 
or  "associate"  will  be  a  necessary  notation  for  each  member. 

The  record  will  be  all  the  better  if  it  includes  an  at- 
tendance register.  Some  Secretaries  keep  track  of  the 
Church,  prayer-meeting,  and  Sunday  school  attendance  of 
their  members.  A  list  of  the  members,  arranged  by  de- 
partments, is  a  most  useful  thing,  especially  if  it  is  posted 
conspicuously  in  the  League  room.  Another  list,  not,  how- 
ever, for  conspicueus  posting,  may  well  be  kept,  contain- 
ing the  names  of  chronic  absentees  or  otherwise  unsatis- 
factory members,  whose  shortcomings  may  properly  be 
noted  by  the  Secretary.  These  names  should  be  referred 
to  the  Cabinet  or  the  Department  of  Spiritual  Work,  and 
the  results  of  any  special  attention  should  be  quietly  noted. 

The  Secretary  will  always  "go  armed."  That  is  to  say, 
he  will  have  his  membership  record  with  him  at  every 
21  321 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

League  meeting.  It  will  be  needed  nearly  every  time  to 
answer  some  more  or  less  important  question. 

As  there  are  alwaj^s  some  folk  "almost  persuaded," 
there  is  always  need  of  a  list  of  prospective  members. 
Glean  these  names  from  every  source.  Keep  a  keen  eye 
on  the  stranger  within  the  gates.  Get  the  names  of  the 
young  people  who  are  friendly  to  the  League.  Make  a 
list  of  names  of  clerks  in  stores,  young  men  in  the  shops, 
young  women  in  service  or  in  business,  high  school  students, 
telegraph  employees,  and  of  the  people  whom  some  special 
industry  brings  into  the  neighborhood.  And,  having  these 
names,  use  them.  The  First  Department  can  seek  to  in- 
terest these  people  in  the  Church  and  Chapter;  the  Second 
can  use  all  the  recruits  it  can  get;  the  Third  may  be  able 
to  help  them  in  some  time  of  need ;  the  Fourth  will  always 
be  glad  for  the  names  of  people  to  whom  can  be  given  invi- 
tations to  lectures,  classes,  socials,  and  entertainments. 

When  a  new  member  is  secured,  get  the  correct  name 
at  once.  The  Constitution  of  the  League  will  have  been 
inserted  on  the  first  pages  of  the  membership  ircord,  and 
a  place  provided  there  for  new  members'  signatures.  Then 
each  one  should  be  given  a  copy  of  the  Constitution  for  his 
own  use.  As  soon  as  he  is  assigned  to  a  department,  note 
that  fact  in  the  record,  and  all  the  other  necessary  facts 
concerning  him,  just  as  soon  as  may  be. 

When  a  member  moves  away  there  is  a  chance  for  the 
Secretary  to  do  him  and  the  Church  a  simple  but  important 
service.  First,  make  out  a  transfer  card  and  give  it  to  him 
with  the  Chapter's  love  and  hearty  good  wishes  for  the 
future.  Then,  write  to  the  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church 
nearest  his  new  home.  A  Methodist  preacher  gets  so  little 
of  this  sort  of  help  that  he  will  be  correspondingly  grateful, 
and  for  very  gratitude  he  will  fairly  bubble  over  with  wel- 
come to  the  young  stranger.  The  half-hour  which  the 
Secretary  might  need  to  accomplish  this  result  would  save 
to  God  and  the  Church  practically  every  case — and  their 
number  is  distressingly  large — which  now  is  reported,  "He 
moved  away  and  we  lost  track  of  him." 

For  a  permanent  membership  record,  which  will  be  of 
ever-increasing  value,  and  which  can  never  be  outgrown,  a 

322 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

card  catalogue  is  the  best  thing  obtainable.  The  single  card 
for  each  member,  on  which  is  written  his  name,  address, 
and  other  personal  notes,  may  grow  to  two  or  three  more 
cards  full  of  interesting  facts  of  his  League,  Church,  and 
public  life  as  the  }rears  go  by.  The  catalogue  may  be 
elaborated  into  a  sort  of  biographical  dictionary  of  the 
Chapter,  and  it  is  so  simple  of  operation  and  so  instantly 
accessible  for  consultation,  that  for  historical  purposes 
alone  it  is  worth  ten  times  what  it  costs.  A  card  outfit 
large  enough  to  begin  with  can  be  had  for  as  little  as  $1. 

Business  Records. — The  one  indispensable  requisite  of 
business  records  is  accuracy.  Rhetoric  and  elaboration  are 
not  needed.  A  plain  handwriting,  free  from  flourishes  and 
original  abbreviations,  is  better  than  a  florid  imagination 
and  impossible  scroll  work. 

Keep  the  records  up  to  date,  entering  them  on  the  per- 
manent book  as  soon  as  they  are  approved.  Usually  it 
will  not  be  necessary  to  enter  everything  which  has  been 
discussed  in  a  meeting,  though  the  rule  which  says  that 
motions  not  carried  are  not  to  be  recorded  may  often  and 
wisely  be  broken.  There  are  times  when  it  is  well  to  have 
a  record  of  what  the  meeting  did  not  do.  Show  the  gen- 
eral direction  of  discussion  in  important  matters. 

Paragraph  freely,  being  especially  careful  to  give  every 
separate  item  its  separate  paragraph.  Require  long  or 
important  motions  to  be  furnished  in  writing,  and  transcribe 
them  literally.  Use  sub-heads,  as  in  this  chapter,  or,  what 
is  better  for  the  Secretary's  purpose,  writing  them  in  the 
margin,  well  out  beyond  the  body  of  the  record.  So  simple 
a  thing  will  make  the  record  fourfold  clearer  and  easier  of 
reference. 

The  recording  of  elections  and  of  the  names  of  com- 
mittees appointed  does  not  end  the  Secretary's  duties  in  the 
premises.  Every  member  of  a  committee  should  have  defi- 
nite notice  of  appointment,  with  a  plain  statement  of  the 
work  expected  of  the  committee.  Every  officer-elect  should 
be  promptly  apprised  of  the  honor  conferred.  Do  not  per- 
mit any  hitch  in  committee  work,  or  any  vacancy,  however 
temporary,  in  official  ranks,  because  it  was  thought  that 
everybody  knew  all    about   it.      Tell   them   beforehand. 

323 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPYVORTHIAN. 

In  the  Cabinet  meetings  and  general  business  meetings, 
the  Secretary  is  the  one  indispensable  element.  He  has  the 
business  of  the  evening  at  his  fingers'  ends.  He  is  at  the 
President's  elbow,  alert  to  prompt,  suggest,  untangle 
snarled  threads  of  business,  and  quick  to  refer  to  the  sub- 
ject in  hand. 

And,  with  all  this,  he  has  the  minutes  of  the  meeting 
written  up  to  the  minute.  It  does  n't  take  rare  ability  to  do 
these  things ;  only  attention,  sense,  and  a  proper  valuation 
of  spare  moments. 

Many  special  records  may  be  kept.  The  committee 
member  from  the  First  Department  may  make  a  simple  but 
very  useful  record  of  the  devotional  meetings,  noting  the 
names  of  leaders,  the  attendance,  and  special  features. 
From  the  Third  Department  will  come  reports  of  surveys, 
study  classes,  and  social  service  campaigns ;  accounts  of 
calls  made,  tracts  distributed,  people  helped,  and  results 
accomplished.  From  the  Second,  Third,  and  Fourth  De- 
partments will  come  descriptions  of  literary  and  social  gath- 
erings, reports  of  reading  and  study  done,  programs,  and 
other  material  of  permanent  interest.  These  records  will 
be  fuller  than  the  monthly  department  reports,  which  are 
usually  brief  summaries  in  statistical  form. 

By  cultivating  an  appetite  for  complete  records  of  these 
things,  using  the  members  of  the  committees  in  getting  what 
is  wanted,  material  will  be  provided  for  some  exceedingly 
profitable  correspondence,  as  will  be  noted  in  a  later  para- 
graph, to  say  nothing  of  the  value  of  such  material  to  the 
local  Chapter. 

Of  course,  the  Secretary  will  insist  on  written  monthly 
reports  from  the  departments,  whether  the  monthly  business 
meeting  is  held  or  not.  By  furnishing  blanks  to  the  various 
Vice-Presidents,  the  reports  as  they  come  in  can  be  per- 
forated and  bound  in  "volumes"  of  one  year  each  by  the 
use  of  paper  fasteners.  Make  a  neat  title-page  for  each 
volume,  bearing  a  sufficiently  complete  inscription  to  indi- 
cate the  contents  at  a  glance.  If  the  Chapter  can  not  afford 
or  does  not  care  to  use  the  regular  report  blanks,  furnish 
the  Vice-Presidents  with  paper  of  uniform  size,  so  that  the 
reports  may  be  bound  as  suggested. 

324 


RECORDING  AND   FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

Co-operation  With  the  Treasurer. — The  Secretary 
should  keep  a  record  of  all  bills  brought  before  the  Chapter, 
showing  their  date,  amount,  for  what  incurred,  the  action 
of  the  Chapter,  and  the  date  of  the  orders  on  the  Treas- 
urer, and  have  them  signed  by  the  President,  using  a  regu- 
lar form  and  keeping  a  record  on  the  stubs  of  the  order 
forms. 

Correspondence. — The  Secretary  is  the  connectional  of- 
ficer of  the  Chapter.  He  holds  it  in  the  organized  relation 
to  the  District  League  and  the  Central  Office.  None  of 
these  can  do  anything  with  or  for  the  local  Chapter  if  they 
can  not  get  in  touch  with  it.  It  should  be  written  in  bold 
letters  over  every  Secretary's  table,  "Answer  promptly 
every  official  letter  which  requires  an  answer."  If  the  letter 
calls  for  information  which  can  not  be  furnished  at  once, 
write  an  acknowledgment  of  its  receipt  and  indicate  a  date 
when  a  complete  answer  will  be  sent.  The  observance  of 
this  simple  rule  of  business  ethics  in  the  local  Chapters 
would  make  some  District  officers  renew  their  youth  amaz- 
ingly. 

The  first  official  duty  of  the  Secretary  may  be  to  send 
the  names  of  the  newly  elected  officers,  including  his  own, 
to  the  District  Secretary  and  to  the  Central  Office.  How 
otherwise  could  those  two  useful  institutions,  the  District 
League  and  the  General  Secretary,  be  in  a  position  to  serve 
the  local  Chapter,  for  whose  service  they  exist? 

There  should  be  no  hesitation  in  originating  official  cor- 
respondence. If  there  are  new  plans  to  describe,  hard 
questions  to  ask,  or  difficult  problems  to  solve,  write,  briefly, 
but  clearly,  to  the  district  or  general  officer  who  is  most 
especially  concerned. 

A  list  of  all  the  Chapters  in  the  district  is  a  valuable 
possession,  or  a  new  plan  of  work,  a  copy  or  a  description 
may  be  sent  to  *a  few  of  the  Chapters,  with  the  request 
that  the  courtesy  be  reciprocated  when  occasion  offers. 
Send  to  a  new  list  of  Chapters  each  time  until  the  district 
has  been  covered  by  the  correspondence.  Then  branch  out 
and  send  letters  into  the  larger  field.  This  method  will 
spread  good  material  in  places  where  it  will  be  appreciated, 
and  a  steady  return  current  of  helpfulness  will  set  in  toward 

325 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

the  originating  Chapter  which  may  easily  pay  a  per  cent  on 
the  investment. 

If  there  are  any  philanthropic  or  charitable  institutions, 
settlements,  deaconess  hospitals,  or  the  like  within  reach  of 
the  Chapter's  help,  write  to  them  and  learn  what  service 
can  be  rendered.  Then  the  matter  may  be  referred  to  the 
Department  of  Social  Service.  Or  the  list  of  such  institu- 
tions may  be  furnished  to  that  department  for  its  attention. 

When  a  member  of  the  Chapter  goes  away  for  a  pro- 
tracted stay,  say  to  college,  or  to  work  in  another  place,  a 
correspondence  circle  may  be  organized  in  his  behalf.  The 
Secretary  need  not  do  it  all.  Others  should  write ;  not  all 
at  once,  of  course.  Let  there  be  an  occasional  letter  of 
friendly  interest  and  League  and  Church  news.  It  will 
hearten  the  absent  one  and  keep  him  in  sympathetic  touch 
with  the  home  work.  When  he  comes  back  he  will  not  need 
to  be  broken  in  again,  but  will  go  straight  to  work  as 
though  he  had  not  been  away. 

Statistics. — Errors  in  spelling  are  not  fatal;  errors  in 
figures  are  without  remedy.  Be  accurate.  Do  n't  estimate ; 
most  estimates  exaggerate.  A  count  of  heads  in  a  congre- 
gation is  an  amazing  reducer  of  immense  audiences. 

Keep  all  the  Chapter's  statistics  that  there  is  oppor- 
tunity to  get.  More  is  better  than  less.  Count  the  members, 
the  attendance  at  League  meetings,  the  Christian  Steward- 
ship enrollment,  The  Herald  subscribers,  the  Comrades  of 
the  Morning  Watch,  the  study  class  members,  and  all  the 
rest.  Every  six  months  summarize  these  statistics,  and  in- 
sert them  on  a  page  of  the  record.  Compare  with  the 
preceding  six  months.  Show  the  figures  to  the  department 
leaders  who  are  concerned ;  make  the  statistics  exert  a 
helpful  influence  on  the  work  of  the  Chapter.  When  The 
Herald  canvass  begins,  furnish  the  names  of  present  sub- 
scribers to  the  canvassers,  and  help  them  in  their  work. 

Scrapbooks. — Get  one.  Still  better,  get  two.  Into  them 
put  every  bit  of  printed  or  written  matter  which  can  be 
found  having  any  reference  to  the  Chapter  or  the  general 
League  work.  One  scrapbook  will  be  filled  with  local 
memorabilia :  programs  of  special  gatherings,  newspaper 
notices,  the  reports  borne  by  delegates  to  the  various  con- 

32G 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

volitions,  of  convention  proceedings  by  the  same  delegates, 
the  news  items  sent  to  The  Herald  and  the  Advocate,  and 
all  the  large  variety  of  valuable  but  fugitive  material,  his- 
toric and  inspirational,  which  will  never  be  of  any  use  un- 
less it  is  promptly  put  into  permanent  form. 

The  other  scrapbook  should  be  for  methods,  plans,  sug- 
gestions, and  programs,  clipped  from  The  Herald  and  other 
papers. 

It  may  well  include  Board  of  Control  matters,  official 
answers  to  questions,  interesting  bits  of  League  history,  and 
the  like.  One  we  know  of  has  two  hundred  and  fifty  pages 
the  size  of  The  Herald's  page.  It  contains  practically 
everything  on  League  methods  that  has  been  printed  in  the 
official  paper  from  the  beginning.  It  is  a  League  encyclo- 
pedia. One  so  large,  of  course,  is  arranged  in  sections,  a 
section  for  each  department.  Perhaps  the  department 
leaders  may  be  induced  to  make  their  own  scrapbooks,  but 
if  they  do  not,  the  Secretary  should  certainly  see  to  this 
work.  It  puts  years  of  experience  at  the  disposal  of  the 
youngest  Chapter  of  the  League. 

Advertising. — This  is  a  field  with  almost  unbounded  pos- 
sibilities. A  vast  amount  of  dignified,  clean,  and  attractive 
advertising  can  be  done  by  every  Chapter  Secretary.  Get 
"Church  Publicity,"  by  Christian  F.  Reisner,  and  note  how 
many  simple  but  effective  methods  can  be  utilized  to  make 
the  Chapter  and  the  Church  known  to  the  entire  community. 
Let  one  member  of  the  Secretary's  Committee  have  this  as 
his  exclusive  work.  It  will  not  be  a  sinecure,  but  if  well 
done  it  will  bring  real  results. 

The  Secret-ary. 

That  is  some  people's  idea  of  his  business ;  he  is  a 
keeper  of  secret^.  Secrets  are  entrusted  to  him  with  the 
confident  assurance  that  wild  horses  could  not  drag  them 
from  him. 

A  few  Epworth  League  Secretaries  appear  to  hold  that 
theory  of  their  functions.  Information  by  the  ream  comes 
to  them,  but  precious  little  of  it  ever  sees  the  light  again. 
They  remind  one  of  that  time-honored  college  conundrum: 

"Why  ought College  to  be  the  most  scholarly  insti- 

327 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

tution  in  the  country?"  "Because  the  freshmen  hring 
abundant  knowledge  to  it,  and  the  seniors  never  take  any 
away." 

Such  a  Secretary  is  missing  a  great  opportunity.  No- 
body wants  to  prove  that  a  Secretary  can  keep  a  secret. 
What  is  desired  is  that  the  Secretary  shall  be,  not  a  reser- 
voir of  facts,  but  a  channel,  conveying  to  the  proper  re- 
ceptacles the  information  which  finds  its  way  to  him.  All 
Secretaries  who  read  this  book  are  asked,  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  General  Secretary,  to  adopt  these  brief  rules  for  the 
conduct  of  their  work,  and  to  obey  them: 

1.  Know  all  that  is  possible  to  be  known  about  your 
Chapter. 

2.  Answer  to-day  every  letter  that  needs  an  answer. 

3.  Give  the  exact  facts,  as  far  as  you  know  them,  not 
general  statements. 

4.  Tell  all  you  know  to  whomsoever  has  the  right  to  ask. 

5.  Do  not  always  wait  to  be  asked. 

6.  Answer   to-day   every   letter   that   needs  an   answer. 
Whoso  makes  these  rules  his  own,  and  heeds  them,  will 

not  be  the  secret-ary,  a  mine  of  inaccessible  facts,  but  The 
Secretary,  a  mine  of  inspiring  and  refreshing  information. 

Publicity  for  League  Work. 

The  Publicity  Secretary,  or  whatever  other  name  is 
given  to  the  member  in  charge  of  the  Chapter's  adver- 
tising, is  the  link  between  the  Chapter  and  the  outside 
world.  He  can  do  a  great  variety  of  helpful  things,  which 
will  have  a  large  share  in  creating  and  maintaining  public 
interest  in  the  Chapter's  work.  And  yet  he  will  not  be 
given  to  boasting  or  to  any  form  of  press-agent  work  which 
does  not  grow  out  of  the  honest  effort  of  the  Chapter  to 
count  for  good  in  the  life  of  the  communitj^. 

Here  are  some  sensible  hints  for  the  Publicity  Secretary. 

As  to  the  newspaper:  Get  acquainted  with  the  news- 
paper people,  and  by  all  reasonable  means  seek  to  keep  on. 
good  terms  with  them.  Find  out  when  the  editors  want 
the  news,  and  be  sure  to  get  it  to  them  a  little  ahead  of 
time.  If  there  is  more  than  one  paper  in  the  town,  pre- 
pare separate  "copy"  for  each  paper,  phrasing  the  matter 

328 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

a  little  differently  each  time.  Editors  have  a  prejudice 
against  printing  matter  which  they  know  is  to  appear  in 
identical  terms  in  another  paper. 

It  may  seem  unnecessary,  but  it  is  n't,  to  insist  on  good 
"copy."  That  means  typewritten  copy,  or  very  plain  pen- 
manship ;  black  ink  on  white  paper ;  writing  on  one  side 
only;  paper  folded,  never  rolled;  items  brief  and  to  the 
point,  omitting  all  pious  platitudes  and  mere  rhetoric ;  and 
a  signature,  "not  necessarily  for  publication,  but  as  a 
guarantee  of  good   faith." 

Perhaps  your  friend  the  editor  will  let  you  provide 
an  Epworth  League  column  once  a  month.  That  is  a 
serious  responsibility,  as  well  as  a  favor.  Do  not  ask  for 
it  unless  you  are  willing  to  work  at  the  task  of  filling  that 
column  worthily  every  month.  But  if  you  are  willing,  you 
can  do  the  Chapter  a  great  service  through  that  newspaper. 
Or  perhaps  the  editor  will  print,  among  other  League  items, 
a  very  brief  exposition  of  the  devotional  meeting  topic  every 
week.  The  pastor  may  be  just  the  man  to  write  this,  and 
it  will  be  profitable  work,  both  for  him  and  for  the  paper. 

Other  forms  of  publicity  must  not  be  neglected  because 
the  newspapers  are  accommodating.  Set  up  an  Epworth 
League  Bulletin  Board  in  some  conspicuous  place.  Keep 
it  ujD-to-date.  Put  on  it  all  the  notices  of  League  events, 
legibly  written  in  a  large  hand  on  stiff  paper,  and  then 
tacked  to  the  board.  If  the  Church  prints  a  weekly  leaflet 
of  notes  and  notices,  pre-empt  a  corner  of  it  for  League 
purposes,  and  keep  that  corner  filled.  Some  Chapters  man- 
age the  details  of  the  Church  leaflet  themselves,  giving  all 
the  societies  and  activities  of  the  Church  their  proper  recog- 
nition. 

Send  an  occasional  brief  note  to  the  official  Church  paper 
for  your  territory.  A  postal  card  will  do,  in  most  cases, 
and  the  editor  will  print  such  an  item  more  readily  and 
more  gladly  than  a  longer  one.  It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose 
that  editors  like  lengthy  news  items. 

The  Herald  is  entitled  to  the  news  of  your  Chapter,  and 
you  are  entitled  to  see  it  in  The  Epworth  Herald  if  you 
send  it  in.  But  it  must  be  sent.  The  Herald  is  not  able 
to  print  what  you  might  have  sent  but  did  n't. 

329 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Do  not  send  any  paper  a  clipping  from  some  other 
paper,  except  for  the  editor's  information.  It  is  unreason- 
able to  ask  him  to  dig  out  from  the  clipping  such  facts 
as  you  desire  him  to  use.  And  it  is  unfair  to  the  Chapter. 
The  clipping  is  unusable  as  it  stands,  and,  in  making  it  over, 
the  very  thing  which  was  intended  to  be  emphasized  may 
escape  altogether.  Pick  out  your  own  plum.  Maybe  the 
editor  might  not  recognize  it  as  one. 

Sometimes  a  Methodist  editor  gets  clippings  taken  from 
other  Methodist  papers,  with  the  request  to  reprint.  This 
is  a  double  breach  of  good  manners.  It  assumes  that  the 
editor  has  not  seen  the  item  in  the  other  paper,  and  it 
expects  him  to  print  stale  news  in  the  exact  form  in  which 
it  was  given  two  weeks  before.  No  editor  will  do  such 
things  if  he  can  help  it,  and  usually  he  can. 

In  order  to  do  judicious  and  effective  advertising,  the 
one  in  charge  of  it  must  know  what  is  going  on  and  what 
is  in  prospect  in  every  department.  So  he  must  be  in  the 
confidence  of  each  member  of  the  Cabinet.  Like  any  other 
reporter,  he  must  gather  his  news  before  he  can  publish 
it.  The  Epworth  League  notices  should  be  the  neatest  and 
most  concise  of  all  those  that  are  read  from  the  pulpit. 
Their  preparation  is  an  art — how  to  say  much  in  a  few 
words,  how  to  omit  all  superfluous  matter,  how  to  make  the 
announcements  "stick  out"  so  that  they  will  not  be  for- 
gotten, how  to  vary  the  wording  from  week  to  week.  But 
all  this  may  be  acquired  by  care  and  practice,  and  it  will 
pay. 

The  Exodus  of  John  and  Mildred. 

It  was  on  a  Kansas  farm.  Four  boys  and  the  new  boy 
were  talking.  The  new  boy  had  come  from  New  York, 
and  onty  two  of  the  others  had  ever  been  as  far  from  home 
as  Topeka,  forty  miles  away. 

To  those  two,  Kansas  Avenue,  Topeka,  was  a  magnifi- 
cent thoroughfare — broad,  long,  lined  with  luxurious  stores. 

Even  the  new  boy  was  impressed.  He  had  not  seen 
any  Western  towns,  except  from  the  car  window,  and  he 
was  unsophisticated  enough  to  think  that  perhaps  the 
Golden  West  he  had  read  about  could  produce  cities  whose 
main  streets  were  no  mean  imitation  of  Broadway. 

■630 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

That  was  long  ago.  But  before  and  since  that  day, 
when  boys  talk  together  on  the  farm,  they  turn  soon  to 
the  thought  of  the  city.  Those  who  have  n't  come  from  it 
want  to  go  to  it. 

It  avails  nothing  that,  in  the  evening  around  the  piano, 
they  sing,  "Do  n't  be  in  a  hurry  to  go."  They  have  heard 
the  call  of  the  city,  and  many  of  them  will  answer. 

It  is  good  for  the  city  that  it  gets  so  many  country 
boys  and  girls ;  it  could  not  last  long  without  them.  And 
it  may  be — maybe — good  for  the  boys  and  girls  themselves. 

But  they  get  lost  so  easily. 

Not  many  "go  astray''  in  the  sense  the  city  missionary 
means,  though  the  number  of  those  who  do  is  a  dreadful 
total.     They  just  get  lost. 

Think  of  the  young  folks  from  your  town  who  were 
leaders  in  the  League  and  Sunday  school:  bright,  useful, 
happy.  Then  think  of  those  you  know  who  are  showing 
these  same  qualities  in  their  transplanted  life. 

Where  are  the  others? 

The  fall  is  especially  the  time  to  think  seriously  about 
these  tilings.  Harvest  time  is  on ;  one  crop  after  another 
is  gathered  in.  The  school  doors  will  open  to  some ;  the 
farm  will  be  good  enough  for  others ;  and  some  will  give 
themselves  up  to  the  lure  of  the  city. 

Before  they  go  is  the  best  time  for  them  and  the  hoine 
Church  to  fix  their  bearings  in  the  new  life.  The  pastor 
will  do  his  part.  But  for  the  League's  own  members,  why 
should  not  the  League  Secretary  do  something? 

These  boys  and  girls  have  been  good  helpers  at  home ; 
they  will  be  worth  just  as  much  in  the  city.  Give  them 
real  letters  of  introduction,  not  just  certificates  of  member- 
ship, so  that  the  city  pastor  and  the  city  Chapter  will  have 
some  notion  of  their  value  and  individuality. 

For  instance: 

This  will  introduce  John  Millholland,  First  Vice- 
President  of  the  Epworth  League  Chapter  at  Farm- 
ington.  He  has  done  good  work,  and  is  good  for  more. 
He  was  the  leader  of  our  Bible  study  class  last  winter, 
holding  a  group  of  fourteen  to  the  end  of  a  three 
331 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

months'  course.     We  hope  he  will  find  himself  welcome 

in  the  Epworth  League  to  which  he  brings  this  note. 

Frank.  H.  Prescott,  President. 

Marie  Carmody,  Secretary. 
Or  this :  .  >  . 

The  bearer  is  Miss  Mildred  Chamberlain,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Epworth  League  at  Connors  Glen,  who 
comes  to  the  city  to  take  a  business  course.  She  has 
served  for  a  year  on  the  Fourth  Department  Commit- 
tee, and  is  a  teacher  in  the  Junior  League.  We  are 
sorry  to  lose  her,  and  can  only  hope  that  some  city 
Chapter  will  discover  how  devoted  and  useful  she  is. 

Do  you  question  whether  the  young  pilgrims  cityward 
would  make  use  of  such  messages  ?     We  do  n't. 

But  if  any  doubt  is  raised,  there  are  more  ways  than 
one  of  sending  a  letter  to  the  city.  All  you  need  is  a  little 
sanctified  ingenuity,  a  little  persistence  in  asking  questions, 
a  little  persuasive  extraction  of  information. 

And  what  of  the  outcome  ?  Both  John  and  Mildred  will 
find  themselves  among  new  friends  in  the  very  days  when 
the  city  might  do  its  worst  for  them  if  they  had  no  place 
of  anchorage. 

At  any  rate,  the  Epworth  League  has  lost  so  many 
young  people  in  such  transition  times  that  a  great  deal  of 
work  is  justified  in  the  attempt  to  stop  so  costly  a  leakage 
of  life. 

The  Chapters  of  the  city  might  do  more,  but  their  first 
handicap  is  that  they  do  not  know  the  strangers,  or  hear 
of  their  coming. 

The  Chapters  of  the  home  places  can  do  more,  because 
they  know  all  about  the  exodus  of  their  Johns  and  Mildreds. 
And  they  are  really  unselfish  enough,  if  they  only  thought 
about  it. 

This  is  written  for  the  Secretaries  of  those  Chapters. 
Suppose,  this  year,  you  think  about  it! 

Side  Lights  for  Scribes. 
Put  life  and  wisdom  into  the  minutes.     They  may  go 
to  make  up  a  record  that  may  be  read  in  twenty-five  or 
fifty  years  from  now.    We  should  avoid  sameness  in  minute- 

332 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

writing.      Intelligence,    brightness,    and    originality    should 
sparkle  on  every  page  of  your  minute  book. 

Have  a  book  where  members  of  the  Chapter  may  enter 
their  names  and  addresses.  Have  every  new  member  sign 
this  book. 

Post  a  membership  list  in  the  Epworth  parlor  or  in  the 
room  where  the  Chapter  meets,  so  that  all  can  see  who  are 
members.     It  might  stimulate  some  one  else  to  join. 

Notify  members  of  their  election,  and  ask  their  hearty 
co-operation  in  the  work  of  the  Chapter. 

Ask  the  Cabinet  officers  to  hand  in  a  written  report  to 
the  business  meeting. 

Bombard  absentees  with  postal  cards.  Keep  a  record 
of  those  present  at  the  devotional  meetings.  Then  send  a- 
card  to  all  absentees  as  soon  thereafter  as  possible,  urging 
attendance.  Give  names  of  absentees  to  the  Department 
of  Social  Service,  who  should  call  upon  them  this  week. 

Write  absent  members  who  are  at  college  or  who  are 
off  on  a  vacation.  Give  them  a  word  of  cheer.  An  appro- 
priate Scripture  passage,  a  hearty  "hello,"  might  keep  one 
from  neglecting  his  Christian  duty. 

Ask  that  those  who  may  be  invalids  and  who  are  mem- 
bers of  your  Church  be  assigned  to  your  department.  If 
possible,  get  them  to  write  letters  to  each  other  and  to  those 
who  are  away  from  home. 

A  letter  from  these  shut-ins  to  their  unconverted  friends 
is  practical.  The  testimony  of  a  faithful  Christian  for 
Jesus  from  the  sick-room  has  great  influence,  and  might 
lead  some  soul  to  Christ. 

Do  not  fail  to  answer  or  give  attention  to  all  communi- 
cations regarding  League  work  that  may  be  addressed  to 
you,  whether  letters  or  circulars.     Do  this  promptly. 

Keep  thoroughly  informed  of  the  advancement  made 
in  the  League  work  throughout  Methodism,  and  with  the 
young  people's  work  generally. 

Insist  on  monthly  reports  from  officers,  and  file  them 
away  in  such  a  manner  that  they  will  be  preserved  as  a  part 
of  your  history. 

Have  a  thoroughly   revised  membership  roll,  and  have 
333 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

a  list  of  your  committees  neatly  printed,  framed,  and  hung 
up  in  your  Chapter  room. 

Insist  on  a  variety  of  plans  in  the  work;  not  sensational 
ventures,  but  thoroughly  ingenious  plans.  Keep  the  curi- 
osity of  your  membership  aroused,  and  then  satisfy  that 
curiosity. 

Acquaint  yourself,  as  far  as  possible,  with  all  the  mem- 
bers in  your  Chapter.  Know  them  not  only  by  sight  and 
by  name,  but  study  their  dispositions,  investigate  their  en- 
vironments. 

Do  n't  be  tempted  to  over-elaboration.  From  these  hints 
and  from  your  own  experience  arrange  a  scheme  for  your 
department.  Plan  your  work  thoroughly,  but  not  beyond 
your  means.  You  can  master  a  simple  plan,  and  work  it ; 
a  cumbersome  one  will  master  you  and  will  give  you  con- 
stant trouble.  And  your  successor  will  be  sure  to  drop  it, 
thus  breaking  the  continuity  of  the  department's  work,  and 
perhaps  seriously  affecting  the  whole  work  of  the  Chapter. 

Have  a  pocket  notebook  for  that  bright  idea  which  just 
popped  into  your  head.  Then  you  can  catch  it  before  it 
pops  out  again. 

A  supply  of  postal  cards,  having  the  Chapter  name  and 
the  Secretary's  name  and  address,  printed  or  stamped  as 
a  heading  will  lighten  many  burdens  of  correspondence. 
For  some  uses  a  postal  card  is  as  good  as  a  letter,  and  it 
has  the  advantage  of  being  so  handy  that  it  invites  use 
when  a  letter  would  involve  so  much  trouble  that  it  would 
never  be  written. 

If  three  Chapters  in  ten  have  a  sufficient  supply  of 
League  literature,  we  will  guess  again  and  say  four.  But 
that 's  the  outside  figure.  Take  stock  of  your  Chapter's 
supply,  and  then  stock  up.  Good  printed  matter  is  too 
low  in  price  for  any  Chapter  to  muddle  along  without  it. 

The  first  thing  a  newly-elected  Secretary  should  do  is 
to  send  a  completely  revised  list  of  the  Chapter's  officers 
to  the  Central  Office  at  Chicago. 

Consider  the  Socialist,  O  Epworthian  !  In  Milwaukee 
he  puts  one-tenth  of  his  income  into  literature,  and  every 
Sunday  morning,  fifty-two  times  a  year,  there  are  three 
hundred  of  him  putting  polyglot  pamphlets  into  the  homes 

331 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

of  the  people.  Victor  Berger  says  that  the  devotion  of 
those  who  prepare  and  distribute  this  literature  rivals  that 
shown  by  the  early  Christians  when  the  Church  was  on 
the  way  to  the  conquest  of  the  Roman  Empire.  If  we  of 
the  Epworth  League  are  not  above  learning  from  the  Social- 
ists and  the  early  Christians,  we  can  make  the  Church  and 
the  community  pay  our  work  at  least  this  compliment,  that 
they  will  take  notice  of  it.  After  that,  it  depends  on  what 's 
in  the  literature — and  in  us! 

Use  neat,  businesslike  stationery.  If  you  do  much 
letter  writing — as  you  should — get  printed  stationery.  It 
is  not  expensive,  and  it  is  worth  your  while  just  for  the  im- 
pression it  makes,  aside  from  its  convenience. 

Chapter  Supplies. — Some  of  these  are  for  the  Secre- 
tary's use ;  others  are  to  be  kept  on  hand  for  the  use  of  the 
other  departments.  All  of  them  may  be  had  from  the 
nearest  branch  of  the  Methodist  Book  Concern,  except  the 
blank  for  the  Secretary's  report  to  the  Central  Office,  which 
is  furnished  free  on  application  to  that  Office,  Chicago.  A 
complete  list  will  be  furnished  by  the  Central  Office. 

The  Chapter's  Financial  Man. 

The  importance  of  the  Treasurer's  work  is  usually  far 
underestimated,  never  overvalued.  It  is  vital  to  the  success 
of  every  department.  The  Chapter  can  never  be  efficiently 
conducted  without  money,  and  the  lack  of  a  trifling  amount 
often  defeats  the  most  important  work.  It  is  also  abso- 
lutely indispensable  that  the  revenue  be  reliable  if  plans 
are  to  be  made  in  advance  and  carried  forward  to  the 
highest  success.  This  department,  therefore,  should  assurer 
an  adequate  revenue  and  gather  it  with  dependable  regu- 
larity. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  entering  upon  your  duties, 
from  your  predecessor's  experience  and  from  a  survey  of 
the  resources  of  the  Chapter,  determine  and  report  the 
available  income,  that  the  Chapter  and  the  Cabinet  may 
plan  accordingly.  With  this  report,  make  whatever  recom- 
mendation you  think  best  for  improving  the  financial  policy. 

When  the  members  are  assigned  to  the  various  depart- 
ments, secure  a  good  committee.     Then  assign  its  work  and, 

885 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

both  by  example  and  all  necessary  insistence,  see  that  your 
financial  plan  is  promptly,  untiringly,  and  thoroughly  car- 
ried out.  Never  admit  an  apparent  necessity  for  resorting 
to  those  financial  methods  that  burden  and  cripple  the 
P'ourth  Department  and  discredit  the  Church  before  the 
world.  Success  by  right  methods  will  avoid  reproach,  and 
train  your  young  people  to  ideals  and  habits  that  will  bear 
valuable  fruit  throughout  their  lives  and  the  lives  of  those 
they  influence. 

Your  most  valuable  service  will  be  achieved  in  promot- 
ing, with  the  Second  Vice-President,  the  study  and  practice 
of  Christian  Stewardship.  Together  you  should  be  unre- 
mitting in  its  promotion.  This  faithfully  accomplished, 
your  remaining  duties  will  be  easily  but  far  more  success- 
fully performed.  Look  through  the  pages  of  this  book 
devoted  to  that  subject. 

Money  is  more  easily  spent  than  raised.  Therefore, 
study  more  how  to  get  money  and  how  to  save  it,  than  how 
to  spend  it.  But  when  money  must  be  spent,  do  not  hesi- 
tate, do  not  be  niggardhy.  Recommend  generous  expendi- 
tures where  they  are  justified  by  the  existing  situation. 

The  most  generally  satisfactory  method  of  securing  a 
revenue  for  the  Chapter  is  by  securing  monthly  contribu- 
tions, voluntary  in  amount,  from  each  member.  It  should 
be  subscribed  immediately  after  joining.  When  each  mem- 
ber contributes,  a  small  amount  from  each  that  will  in  no 
degree  interfere  with  his  obligations  to  the  Church  will 
suffice.  Do  not  permit  any  through  false  pride  to  assume 
what  we  will  regret  and  perhaps  evade  with  moral  harm 
to  himself. 

Keep  neat,  accurate,  and  complete  records.  Give  and 
take  receipts  for  every  cent  received  or  paid,  and  require 
it  of  your  committeemen.  Preserve  all  the  receipts  you 
receive  and  the  stubs  of  those  you  give.  Write  the  entries 
of  your  transactions  promptly,  never  waiting  to  write  up 
a  lot  at  once,  or  the  only  certainty  about  your  records 
will  be  their  uncertainty.  Keep  every  fund  separate.  Have 
an  account  with  every  fund. 

Never  accept  the  records  of  your  predecessor  until  the 
Auditing  Committee  has  examined  them,  verified  his   final 

336 


RECORDING  AND  FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

financial  statement,  and  entered  these  facts  in  the  record. 
Then  require  him  to  transfer  immediately  the  cash  on  hand 
according  to  that  statement,  taking  your  receipt.  Pass  your 
records  and  cash  to  your  successor  in  the  same  manner. 
No  distrust  is  implied;  these  are  simply  good  business 
methods.     Our  young  people  need  to  acquire  them. 

The  Treasurer  should  keep  a  memorandum  of  all  pro- 
posed expenditures,  and  by  foresight  enable  the  Chapter  to 
guard  against  any  avoidable  congestion  of  liabilities  that 
might  embarrass  the  Chapter  or  injure  its  credit. 

The  Treasurer,  not  later  than  the  day  after  Anniversary 
Day  of  each  ye<\r,  should  remit  to  the  Central  Office  of 
the'  Epworth  Leigue,  Chicago,  111.,  for  the  administrative 
expenses  of  the  Central  Office,  five  cents  for  each  member. 
Collect  dues  from  everybody  if  your  Chapter  is  financed 
by  dues.  Do  not  confine  your  activities  as  a  collector  to 
those  who  volunteer  their  dues.  Call  on  every  member  of 
the  Chapter  for  the  small  amount  which  may  have  been 
promised,  and  keep  calling  until  the  amount  is  paid. 

Pay  your  bills.  The  credit  of  the  Chapter  is  just  as 
important  as  your  own  personal  credit,  and  nothing  keeps 
credit  good  like  the  prompt  payment  of  obligations. 

When  collections  are  taken  at  a  public  meeting,  get  some 
one  to  help  you  count  the  money,  that  there  may  be  no 
question  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the  report. 

Bills  that  are  regularly  incurred  for  some  fixed  expenses 
may  be  ordered  paid  by  the  Chapter  as  they  fall  due.  For 
such  bills  a  new  order  every  month  is  not  necessary. 

Discourage  doubtful  money-raising  schemes.  The  best 
way  to  do  that  is  to  be  a  successful  collector  of  the  funds 
which  are  raised  in  the  ideal  way,  by  personal  and  direct 
payment  from  every  member  according  to  ability.  One  of 
the  objects  of  the  League  is  to  prove  by  deeds  that  there 
is  a  better  way  of  raising  Church  and  League  funds.  The 
Chapter  whose  Treasurer  csllects  dues  and  subscriptions 
faithfully  will  have  small  excuse  for  going  into  the  ice- 
cream business  to  pay  its  debts. 

In  some  cases  a  fixed  sum  will  be  named  as   "dues." 
This  is  not  so  good  as  the  entirely  voluntary  and  flexible 
subscription.      It   makes    no   account   of   differing   financial 
22  337 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

ability,  and  savors  of  the  club  or  fraternal  order,  into 
which  you  put  a  certain  sum,  which  is  regulated  by  the 
amount  of  benefits  which  3^011  receive  or  may  expect.  That 
is  not  the  League  ideal,  which  is  better  expressed  in  this 
ancient  sajdng,  "From  each  according  to  his  ability;  to 
each   according  to   his   need." 

But  weekly,  monthly,  or  quarterly  dues  are  better  than 
any  form  of  haphazard  finance.  If  the  Chapter  can  do 
its  work  at  small  outlay,  there  may  be  but  little  objection 
to  uniform  dues. 

The  Epworth  League  Budget. 

Prepare  a  budget! 

Discover  what  each  department  ought  to  do  this  year, 
and  what  it  will  cost — how  much  for  topic  cards,  and  refer- 
ence libraries,  and  mercy  and  help  work,  and  extra  Herald 
subscriptions,  and  free  socials,  and  advertising,  and  the 
special  work  you  surely  must  do. 

Do  not  make  niggardly  estimates.  Your  Chapter  can 
pay  for  all  it  ought  to  undertake,  whether  by  dues  or  sub- 
scriptions or  collections.  By  one  or  more  of  these  methods 
provide  for  enough  money  to  cover  your  estimates,  with  a 
little  margin.     Then  you  have  a  budget. 

A  budget  is  sensible.  It  is  Scriptural  (counting  the  cost 
and  laying  by  in  store).  It  is  scientific.  It  is  the  one  self- 
respecting  method  of  dealing  with  Epworth  League  finances. 

Its  advantages  are  better  discovered  than  described. 
But  they  are  real  and  large  and  lasting. 

Prepare  a  budget.     And  stick  to  it! 

THE    BUDGET    DINNER. 

The  Treasurer  will  have  much  to  do  with  the  budget. 
Many  Chapters  ask  their  Treasurer  to  plan  a  budget  dinner 
at  the  beginning  of  the  financial  year.  Here  is  one  way 
to  manage  that: 

Have  pledge  cards  and  printed   matter  under  the 

tablecloth  at  each  place,  until  the  psychological  moment 

arrives  to  call  them  out.     The  budget  is  everybody's 

business.     So  the  trick  is  to  get  everybody  interested. 

338 


RECORDING  AND   FINANCING  THE  WORK. 

On  the  pledge  card  state  the  total  amount  to  be  spoil 
this  year,  and  how  much  goes  to  each  department. 
Call  on  the  department  heads  to  tell  what  they 
purpose  to  do  with  the  money.  Have  at  least  one  good 
five-minute  speech  on  Stewardship. 

Ask  for  definite  pledges,  according  to  ability.     This 

feature  may  be  added  on  to  the  dues  system,  if  thought 

best.     It  gives  a  chance  for  those  better  able  to  give 

more  than  the  small  amount  represented  by  dues. 

The  Chapter  ought  by  all  means  to  assume  some  outside 

obligation — foreign  mission  work:  the  "Parish  Abroad,"  aid 

for  some  form  of  deaconess  work,  the  support  of  some  home 

mission  station,  or  some  other  enterprise  whose  needs  are 

great  and   which  can  not  make   any   direct  return   to   the 

Chapter  for  the  money  invested.     We  need  to  put  at  least 

one  utterly  unselfish  enterprise  on  the  heart  and  conscience 

of  every  Chapter. 

The  amount  devoted  to  this  outside  work,  together  with 
the  total  required  for  the  departments,  constitutes  the 
budget  for  the  year.  If  the  plan  of  annual  dues  is  in  opera- 
tion, the  probable  receipts  from  this  source  must  be  esti- 
mated. 

The  estimated  income  may  not  equal  the  estimated  ex- 
pense. What  then?  Shall  the  Chapter  cut  off  some  items 
of  expense?  Sometimes  that  may  be  done  to  advantage. 
But  if  the  needs  of  the  work  have  been  carefully  foreseen, 
the  scaling  down  of  expenses  ought  not  to  be  thought  of 
except  as  a  last  resort.  Supplement  the  dues  by  voluntary 
subscriptions,  explaining  frankly  the  reason  for  soliciting 
these  subscriptions. 

When  the  Chapter's  funds  are  raised  wholly  by  the 
subscription  method,  the  budget  should  be  fully  explained 
and  formally  approved  by  vote  before  the  subscriptions 
are  taken.  Then  you  may  be  able  to  suggest  a  scale  of 
subscriptions  which  will  provide  for  all  the  Chapter's  finan- 
cial needs. 

The  Treasurer  may  sometimes  hold  a  profitable  consul- 
tation with  the  treasurer  of  the  Church.  As  they  compare 
lists   they   may   discover   that   some    Epworthians    who    are 

339 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Church  members  are  not  doing  all  they  might  for  the 
Church.  Then  the  Treasurer  and  the  Chapter  may  render 
important  assistance  to  the  Church  by  urging  the  obligation 
and  privilege  of  giving,  and  especially  of  supporting  the 
regular  work  of  the  Church. 


340 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

The  Epworth  League  should  make  much  of  the  red-letter 
days  in  the  calendar.  They  offer  opportunities  for  such 
observance  as  young  people  have  time  and  inclination  for, 
and  their  recognition  is  a  distinct  service  to  the  community 
and  the  Church. 

The  following  schedule  shows  the  special  services  pi*o- 
vided  for  by  the  General  Secretary: 

January.        First  Sunday,  Morning  Watch  Enrollment. 

Second  Sunday,  Epworth  Herald  Day. 
February.     Sunday    Nearest    Lincoln's    Birthday,    Freed- 

men's  Aid  Society. 
May.  Second  or  Third  Sunday,  Anniversary  Day. 

July.  First  Sunday,  Christian  Citizenship. 

September.  First  Sunday,  League  Rally  Day. 

Third  Sunday,  Study  Courses  Presented. 
November.     Third  Sunday,  Personal  Evangelism. 
December.     Third  or  Fourth  Sunday,  Christmas. 

The  material  for  many  of  these  days  varies  from  year 
to  year,  and  can  be  found  in  the  pages  of  The  Epworth 
Herald  and  the  other  Church  papers,  or  it  may  be  secured 
direct  from  the  headquarters  of  the  organization  more  di- 
rectly interested.  This  statement  applies  especially  to  the 
missionary  programs,  Lincoln  Sunday,  Anniversary  Day, 
Church  Extension  Sunday,  and  the  Sundays  devoted  to 
special  forms  of  League  work.  Material  for  these  League 
days  may  also  be  found  in  this  book,  under  the  proper 
department  headings. 

General  suggestions  for  recognizing  some  of  these  spe- 
cial days,  and  for  the  observance  of  secular  holidays,  arc 
here  given,  and  also  in  Chapter  X,  in  the  hope  that  more 

341 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

general  attention  will  be  paid  by  our  Chapters  to  the  high 
days  of  Church  and   State. 

Lincoln's  Birthday. 

Make  this  a  patriotic  observance  of  the  true  sort.  In 
remembering  Abraham  Lincoln  we  need  no  spread-eagle 
oratory,  no  stump  speeches.  The  lesson  of  his  life  means 
most  when  it  is  given  simply  and  allowed  to  make  its  own 
impression. 

Decorations:  The  flag,  "with  every  star  in  place;"  a 
bust  statuette  or  picture  of  Lincoln. 

Congregational  singing:  "Star-Spangled  Banner;" 
"Battle  Hymn  of  the   Republic;"   "America." 

Special  music : 

"If  you  can  not,  on  the  ocean, 
Sail  among  the  swiftest  fleet." 

(One  of  Lincoln's  favorite  songs.) 

Recitation :     Lincoln's  speech  at  Gettysburg. 

Whitman's  "O  Captain,  My  Captain." 

Some  Lincoln  stories,  illustrating  his  kindness,  his  de- 
vout nature,  his  devotion  to  the  Union,  etc. 

Brief  addresses:  "Lincoln,  the  Boy;"  "Lincoln,  the 
Citizen;"  "Lincoln,  the  President." 

A  longer  address:  "To-day's  Need  of  the  Lincoln  Type 
of  Patriotism." 

Washington's   Birthday. 

February  22d  is  almost  as  familiar  a  date  in  American 
thought  as  July  4th,  and  for  much  the  same  reason.  It  is 
the  birthday  of  the  man  who,  more  than  any  other,  made 
possible  the  birthday  of  the  Nation. 

It  is  the  fashion  nowadays  to  make  Washington's  birth- 
day more  of  a  social  than  a  serious  celebration.  The  old 
customs  and  the  old  costumes  are  revived,  and  the  cherry 
tree  and  hatchet  figure  largely  in  the  decorative  scheme. 
There  is  no  harm  in  all  that,  but  none  the  less  we  need  to 
remember  Washington  and  the  men  of  his  time  with  vast 
reverence  for  their  great  work,  not  forgetting,  but  not 
emphasizing,  their  weaknesses  and   limitations. 

312 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

For  the  more  formal  and  thoughtful  observance  of 
Washington's    birthday    an    outline    program    is    suggested 

here: 

Decorations:  The  National  colors;  a  reproduction  in 
colors,  if  possible,  of  the  Washington  coat-of-arms  (see 
any  good  history  or  a  life  of  Washington)  ;  a  portrait  or 
bust  of  Washington ;  a  picture  of  Mount  Vernon ;  pictures 
illustrating  scenes  in  Washington's  life  (crossing  the  Dela- 
ware, at  Valley  Forge,  receiving  the  surrender  of  Corn- 
wallis,  saying  fa»ewell  to  his  officers,  taking  the  oath  as 
President,  etc.). 

Singing:  "America;"  "God  of  our  fathers,  known  of 
old"  (Kipling's  Recessional — effective  as  a  solo  or  a  quar- 
tet) ;  "God  of  our  fathers,  whose  Almighty  Hand;"  "A 
Mighty  Fortress  is  our  God;"  "To  Thee,  O  God,  whose 
Guiding  Hand." 

Recitations. 

Addresses:  "George  Washington's  message  to  our 
time;"  "Washington's  preparation  for  greatness;"  "The 
eighteenth-century  idea  of  patriotism;"  "Washington — a 
study  in  self-mastery;"  "Washington,  the  Christian  man 
in  public  life." 

For  the  Sunday  Nearest  Washington's  Birthday. 

Song  service. 

Prayer,  by  leader  or  pastor. 

Scripture  lesson. 

The   leader   speaks:      "The   Christian   Citizen." 

Hymn. 

A 'member  speaks:  "George  Washington's  influence  on 
the  National  life  of  to-day." 

Another  member  speaks:  "What  can  we  do  for  the 
cause  of  Christiaa  citizenship  in  our  own  community?" 

Testimonies:  "How  my  religion  and  my  patriotism  help 
each  other;"  "My  idea  of  Christian  duty  in  public  affairs;" 
"What  can  I  do  to  help  make  this  a  Christian  nation?" 

Brief  prayers. 

Hymn,  "America." 

The  League  benediction,  or  this : 

"Render  therefore  to  all  their  dues;  tribute  to  whom 
343 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

tribute  is  due;  custom  to  whom  custom;  fear  to  whom  fear; 
honor  to  whom  honor.  Owe  no  man  anything,  but  to  love 
one  another:  for  he  that  loveth  another  hath  fulfilled  the 
law."      (Rom.   13:7,  8.) 

The  prayer  service  at  the  close  of  the  testimonies  may 
be  made  very  helpful.  Encourage  general  participation. 
Call  for  prayers  of  thanksgiving,  of  confession,  of  petition. 
We  have  much  to  be  thankful  for — National  and  personal 
blessings,  freedom,  and  the  privileges  of  citizenship.  We 
have  much  to  confess — National  and  personal  failure,  in- 
difference to  the  highest  needs  of  our  community,  State, 
and  Nation ;  the  widespread  commercializing  of  civic  ideals. 
We  have  much  to  ask — for  a  sounder  Christian  patriotism, 
for  courage  to  carry  Christian  principles  into  public  af- 
fairs, for  grace  to  urge  the  claims  of  Christian  citizenship 
on  all  who  bear  the  Christian  name.  If  possible,  at  least 
fifteen  minutes  should  be  given  to  this  part  of  the  program. 

Get  a  soloist  or  quartet  to  sing  Kipling's  "Recessional." 
It  can  be  found  in  "Gloria  Deo,"  or  the  Christian  Endeavor 
Hymnal.  Other  appropriate  hymns  are:  "God  bless  our 
native  land;"  "America;"  "To  Thee,  O  God,  whose  guid- 
ing hand;"  "God  of  our  fathers,  known  of  old;"  "A  Mighty 
Fortress  is  our  God;"   Battle-hymn  of  the   Republic." 

Anniversary  Day. 

From  the  first  the  Epworth  League  has  made  much  of 
its  birthday.  May  15,  1889,  will  always  be  an  epochal  date 
because  of  the  far-reaching  work  which  was  completed  on 
that  da}r.  To  keep  the  day  in  remembrance,  the  custom 
has  been  established  of  observing  May  15th,  or  the  Sunday 
nearest  it,  as  Anniversary  Day. 

Most  Chapters  observe  the  day  on  the  nearest  Sunday, 
and  the  special  program  which  is  prepared  every  year  is 
arranged  with  this  fact  in  mind.  Let  it  be  set  down  here, 
then,  that  one  important  element  of  the  celebration — the 
Anniversary  Program — is  always  within  reach  of  even  the 
smallest  and  weakest  Chapter.  The  program  is  usually 
sold  at  a  small  price  in  quantity  sufficient  to  supply  the 
whole  audience,  including  the  necessary  supplements.  The 
theme  of  this  program  is  changed   with   succeeding  years, 

344 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

but  it  provides  a  most  convenient  and  interesting  aid  to  the 
proper  observance  of  the  day-  And  it  is  planned  so  as  to 
be  within  the  powers  of  any  Chapter  of  the  League. 

Anniversary  Day  in  many  places  has  come  to  be  fully 
recognized  as  Young  People's  Day,  and  the  exercises  of 
the  whole  day  are  arranged  accordingly.  The  pastor  usu- 
ally throws  himself  heartily  into  the  work  and  gladly  avails 
himself  of  the  opportunity  to  render  special  service  to  the 
Chapter.  For  it  is  not  only  a  kindness  to  his  Epworthians, 
but  it  is  an  enlargement  of  his  own  sphere  of  influence, 
and  in  almost  every  case  he  takes  this  view  of  it. 

The  celebration  of  Anniversary  Day  should  begin  early 
in  the  morning.  If  there  are  Comrades  of  the  Morning 
Watch  in  the  Chapter,  they  should  arrange  to  observe  the 
Watch  together,  inviting  all  others  who  will  to  join  them. 
This  is  not  a  new  plan,  of  course,  being  simply  a  variation 
on  the  idea  of  the  Sunrise  Prayer-meeting,  but  it  links  the 
service  to  an  organized  movement  within  the  League,  and 
affords  a  means  of  extending  the  usefulness  of  that  move- 
ment. 

For  the  early  service  ought  to  be  such  that  it  will 
recommend  the  Morning  Watch  to  many  who  have  not 
before  adopted  it.  If  there  are  no  enrolled  "Comrades"  in 
the  Chapter,  hold  this  service  nevertheless. 

The  Chapter  may  properly  ask  the  pastor  to  make  his 
morning  service  bear  directly  on  some  phase  of  the  young- 
people's  movement.  There  should  not  be  the  slightest 
attempt  to  interfere  with  the  pastor  in  the  treatment  of 
the  theme,  but  if  he  is  willing,  as  of  course  he  will  be,  to 
prepare  a  special  Anniversary  Sermon,  the  Chapter  should 
show  its  appreciation  by  attending  in  a  body.  Perhaps  a 
special  section  of  the  Church  may  be  reserved  for  the 
young  people. 

The  preparations  for  the  evening  service  should  begin 
at  least  a  month  before  Anniversary  Day.  The  special 
program  should  be  secured  in  sufficient  quantity  to  supply 
all  who  are  likely  to  attend.  Supplements  will  provide 
the  material  for  the  various  speakers,  and  the  program 
proper  will  contain  the  special  music. 

The  proper  Program  Committee  for  this  Anniversary 
345 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Day  is  the  Cabinet.  Call  a  meeting  as  soon  as  the  pro- 
grams arrive.     Plan  the  work  promptly. 

The  speakers'  parts  should  be  memorized.  This  can 
not  be  emphasized  too  strongly.  The  difference  between 
memorizing  and  reading  makes  the  difference  between  a 
good  program  and  a  failure.  People  can  not  be  interested 
in  a  program  which  is  read. 

Most  of  the  songs  provided  in  the  program  will  prob- 
ably be  new  to  the  Chapter,  and  several  rehearsals  will  be 
necessary.  Organize  a  choir  for  this  purpose  if  you  have 
not  a  League  choir  already. 

The  Fourth  Department  will  have  seen  to  the  decora- 
tions, which,  while  they  need  not  be  either  expensive  or 
extensive,  should  be  really  decorative,  and  in  the  best  pos- 
sible taste. 

During  the  evening  there  should  be  opportunity  given 
for  a  summarized  report  of  the  work  the  Chapter  had  done 
in  the  past  twelve  months.  The  President  should  make 
this   report. 

An  offering  should  be  taken,  of  course.  The  money  will 
be  used  for  one  cause  this  year,  and  for  another  cause  next 
year;  but  it  should  be  gathered.  That  is  a  necessary  and 
highly  appropriate  part  of  the  day's  observance. 

The  day  ought  not  to  be  closed  without  an  earnest  and 
personal  invitation  to  all  of  the  young  people  of  the  Church 
to  identify  themselves  with  the  Ep worth  League  and  with 
the  work  which  it  is  doing.  Oftentimes  membership  ampli- 
cation cards  may  be  used  to  excellent  advantage. 

After  the  installation,  the  members  of  the  Chapter  will 
join  the  officers  at  the  altar,  and,  kneeling,  will  sing  some 
hymn  of  consecration.  This  should  be  followed  by  the 
dedicatory  prayer,  offered  by  the  pastor  or  some  member 
previously  appointed. 

The  pastor  or  Chapter  President  should  have  charge 
of  the  service  of  dedication,  except  where  the  installation 
of  officers  precedes  the  dedicatory  service.  In  that  case  the 
pastor  alone  should  have  charge  of  both  services. 

Signalize  the  day  by  the  inauguration  of  some  new 
enterprise,  as  suggested  in  the  paragraphs  which  appear 
under  the  heading,  "Some  New  Departure,"  on  pages  355-7. 

346 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

The  beginning  of  some  new  and  really  necessary  work 
by  the  Chapter  on  Anniversary  Day  will  save  the  day  from 
being  a  mere  "hurrah"  time,  filled  with  nothing  more  abid- 
ing than  frothy  enthusiasm.  And  the  new  work  will  have 
the  advantage  of  a  good  start,  widespread  interest,  and  the 
backing  of  the   Chapter,  the   Church,  and  the  community. 

If  Not  the  Special  Anniversary  Program? 

If,  for  any  reason,  it  does  not  seem  best  to  use  the  spe- 
cial program  prepared  by  the  Central  Office,  there  are 
several  other  ways  of  emphasizing  the  importance  of  the 
day.  The  idea  of  ignoring  the  day  should  not  be  enter- 
tained for  a  moment.  Perhaps  the  pastor  may  be  willing 
to  devote  the  evening  service  to  a  consideration  of  the 
young  people's  work,  preaching  a  special  sermon  to  them, 
or  traversing  the  ground  suggested  by  the  material  on 
page  844. 

As  a  part  of  any  work  decided  upon,  the  Junior  work, 
the  report  of  the  Chapter  for  the  retiring  year,  and  the  pro- 
gram of  the  new  j'ear's  work  should  be  introduced. 

In  many  places  it  will  be  possible  to  secure  a  member 
of  the  District  or  State  Cabinet  to  give  the  address  of  the 
evening;  or  some  near-by  minister  may  be  secured  through 
the  co-operation  of  two  Chapters  in  the  exchange  of  pastors 
for  the  evening. 

When  any  of  these  plans  are  used,  let  the  regular  Ep- 
worth  League  meeting  be  dispensed  with,  and  all  energy 
and  interest  concentrated  on  the  public  service.  Empha- 
size in  every  possible  way  that  it  is  an  Epworth  League 
meeting.  Simple  but  attractive  decoration  should  be  used, 
and  the  League  colors  should  be  prominently  displayed. ' 
The  program  may  be  utilized  to  secure  new  members. 
There  is  no  better  time  for  this  than  an  hour  in  which  the 
value,  dignity,  and  helpfulness  of  the  Epworth  League  is 
being  especially  emphasized. 

It  may  be  found  practicable  to  present  a  statement  of 
the  special  work  now  being  urged  and  prosecuted  in  our 
Epworth  League  Chapters.  The  various  activities  which 
have  been  so  profitable  in  so  many  places  may  well  be 
emphasized  at  this  time.     Speak  of  the  great  progress  made 

347 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

in  Bible  study ;  the  remarkable  spread  of  the  mission  study 
movement ;  the  work  of  individual  evangelism  through  the 
"Win-My-Chum"  movement;  the  Morning  Watch;  tbe 
Christian  Stewardship  enrollment;  the  study  courses  in 
Christian  Experience,  Personal  Evangelism,  and  in  Social 
Service ;  the  work  done  in  the  Social  Service  Department, 
and  the  Chapter's  recreational  and  cultural  activities. 

Ask  several  members  to  sum  up  in  brief  papers  the 
work  of  the  year  in  your  Chapter.  Subjects  such  as  these 
will  give  opportunity  to  show  the  progress  of  the  past 
twelve  months :  "The  year's  gain  in  Bible  study ;"  "What 
we  have  learned  about  missions;"  "The  Chapter's  aid  in 
our  spiritual  growth;"  "How  the  Church  has  helped  us;" 
"What  we  have  done  for  the  Juniors;"  "Our  Social  Serv- 
ice;" "The  Christian  Stewardship  revival;"  "Our  influence 
on  the  community  outside  the  Church;"  "The  advance  in 
social  helpfulness,"  and  "The  intellectual  profits  of  the 
year." 

The  report  of  the  Chapter  for  the  past  year  should  be 
read  by  the  retiring  President.  The  program  of  the  new 
year's  work  should  be  outlined  by  the  President  who  has 
just  been  installed. 

The  pastor  will  install  the  officers,  when  the  installation 
is  made  a  part  of  the  program.  He  should  also  have  charge 
of  the  service  of  dedication,  calling  the  members  of  the 
Chapter  around  the  altar  just  before  the  singing  of  a  dedi- 
cation hymn,  and  leading  in  repetition  of  a  dedication 
prayer.  Make  this  part  of  the  exercises  as  simple  as  pos- 
sible.    It  should  be  profoundly  effective  if  reverently  done. 

The  following  program  will  serve  as  a  foundation  for 
the  exercises.  Of  course,  the  more  variety  that  can  be 
introduced,  the  better,  if  it  does  not  destroy  the  unity  of 
the  service: 

Song  service. 

Prayer. 

The  leader  speaks:  "Our  Chapter — its  purpose  and 
work  in  the  past  year." 

Prayer. 

Brief  addresses  by  members.  (See  subjects  on  this 
page.) 

348 


THE   LEAGUES  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

Installation  of  officers. 

Dedicatory  service. 

The  League  benediction. 

In  a  small  Chicago  Chapter,  where  many  of  the  mem- 
bers are  young  and  have  not  yet  learned  to  take  much  active 
part  in  the  meetings,  the  Cabinet  decided  to  celebrate  Anni- 
versary Day  by  having  an  "Encouragement  Meeting."  On 
the  previous  Sunday  it  was  announced  that  every  one  was 
expected  to  bring  something  in  written  form,  telling  how 
the  Epworth  League  had  helped  him  during  the  past  year. 
In  order  to  give  the  members  some  idea  of  what  was  meant, 
a  list  of  suggestions  was  read,  as  follows : 

Would  your  life  have  been  different  if  there  had  been  no 
Epworth  League  Chapter  in  this  Church?     How? 

Has  any  particular  meeting  helped  you  especially? 

Has  any  meeting  helped  you  ?     How  ? 

Has  any  one  of  the  library  books  helped  you? 

Have  you  stopped  any  bad  habit  or  started  any  good 
habit  because  you  have  attended  the  League? 

The  papers  were  not  to  be  signed,  but  they  were  col- 
lected, shaken  in  a  hat,  and  then  re-distributed,  so  that  each 
one  would  read  another's  paper.  The  plan  worked  very 
well,  and  many  who  had  never  before  done  anything  more 
than  recite  a  verse  of  Scripture  wrote  something  definite 
about  themselves.  Such  papers  as  the  following  were  re- 
ceived : 

"One  of  the  members  helped  me  to  give  up  the  cigarette 
habit." 

"I  want  to  tell  you  that  I  have  started  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian"-— from  one  of  the  most  bashful  girls  in  the  Chapter. 

"The  song,  'He  holdeth  the  storm  in  His  hand,'  has 
cured  me  of  a  terrible  fear  of  thunder-storms,"  etc.  The 
other  responses  were  quite  as  practical. 

What  Are  We  Going  to  Do  About  It? 
The  Church  could  not  spare  the  Epworth  League.     But 
it  can  not  endure  that  the  League  shall  rest  on  any  record 
and  be  proud  merely  of  what  it  was  and  what  it  has  come 
to  be. 

The  League  must  be  a  bigger  institution,  and  a  better 
319 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

one,  if  it  is  to  hold  its  place  and  do  its  work  in  the  Church. 
There  are  plenty  of  agencies  outside  the  Epworth  League 
through  which  the  Church  can  operate  unless  the  League 
shall  continue  to  prove  itself  the  most  effective  agency  for 
the  task  in  hand. 

What  is  that  task?  Anniversary  Day  is  a  good  day 
for  the  asking  and  answering  of  that  question. 

Well;  it  is  not  the  mere  getting  up  of  steam.  Let  it 
be  admitted  that  the  hurrah  days  are  over.  We  have  more 
need  for  enthusiasm  than  ever,  but  it  must  be  enthusiasm 
which  has  motive  and  direction  and  purpose. 

Nor  is  it  the  League's  task  to  make  the  young  people 
of  Methodism  a  class-conscious  company.  The  League  is 
not  an  order,  like  the  ministry,  nor  an  exclusive  company, 
like  a  college  fraternity,  nor  a  society  of  experts,  like  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers.  It  is  the  youth  of 
the  Church  enrolled  during  the  brief  years  of  youth  in  the 
vocational,  manual  training  school  of  the  Church. 

The  League's  task  is  not  the  production  of  more  or  less 
devoted  Methodists.  It  seeks  to  develop  intelligent  Meth- 
odist Christians,  and  risks  their  loyalty  on  their  intelligence. 

The  League's  task  in  the  years  to  come — beginning 
now! — is  to  train,  to  inspire,  to  employ  the  young  life  of 
the  Church — to  train  for  efficiency ;  to  inspire  for  dedica- 
tion to  Jesus  Christ  and  His  ideals ;  to  employ  on  the 
principle  that  every  Christian  needs  a  place  of  Christian 
service,  and  the  Church  needs  him. 

All  this  can  not  be  done  by  good  intentions  or  by  hap- 
hazard. Never  was  a  time  when  God  so  required  and  so 
honored  the  carefulest,  most  painstaking  thoroughness  in 
the  preparation  of  His  servants.  The  mature  Christian 
of  to-morrow  must  specialize  in  religion  in  all  its  branches, 
and  he  must  get  ready  for  his  specialty. 

That  is  the  task  of  the  Epworth  League.  It  is  a  tech- 
nical school.  It  is  to  give  its  students  confidence  in  their 
work,  humility  in  their  mutual  leadership,  the  spirit  of 
sacrifice  in  their  service,  awareness  as  to  the  facts  of  life 
and  their  bearing  on  Christian  faith,  and  an  open-eyed 
optimism  concerning  the  program  of  Jesus  Christ  for  the 
Church  and  the  world. 

350 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

Called — Expected — Trusted — An    Anniversary    Day 
Homily. 

The  Epworth  League  is  a  company  of  people  that  are 
called.  It  is  not  perfect  or  it  would  not  exist.  It  is  a  group 
with  unmeasured  possibilities.  The  people  of  middle  life 
will  live  out  their  lives  on  their  present  level ;  you  know 
what  they  will  do  and  what  they  will  be  until  the  end.  But 
the  young  people  are  not  so ;  besides  what  they  are  to-day, 
there  is  to  be  taken  into  account  what  they  will  be  to- 
morrow. 

It  is  not  easy  to  influence  the  generation  of  which  you 
are  a  part  by  any  direct  attack,  but  it  is  comparatively  an 
easy  thing  to  influence  the  generation  which  is  just  ahead. 
And  this  we  can  do  when  we  work  with  others  and  with 
ourselves  who  are  to  be  the  mature  generation  of  the  next 
few  years. 

The  young  people  of  the  Epworth  League  are  called, 
first  of  all,  to  join  themselves  to  Jesus  Christ.  Now  is  the 
one  golden  opportunity  for  beginning  the  life  of  disciple- 
ship.  The  chances  which  remain  after  twenty-five  years 
of  age  are  so  small  that  they  may  be  left  out  of  the  account. 
Of  course,  there  is  always  opportunity,  but  once  character 
is  fixed  there  is  small  likelihood  of  response  to  the  oppor- 
tunity. To-da}r  is  the  time,  not  merely  because  there  may 
be  no  to-morrow,  but  because  to-morrow,  if  it  comes,  will 
in  all  probability  be  too  late. 

The   young   people   are   called   to   the    practice   of   the 
Christian  life.      If  Christian  service  and  the  study  of  the 
Bible  and  interest  in  all  forms  of  the  Kingdom's  progress 
are  to  mark  our  mature  life,  they  must  be   provided   for^ 
now.     You  can  not  force  new  interests  upon  old  people. 

The  young  people  are  called  to  serve  and  to  help.  One 
of  the  sad  things  about  middle  life  and  old  age  is  that  the 
sympathies  are  likely  to  have  been  blunted.  If  you  are 
going  to  possess  tenderness  and  gentleness  and  pity  and 
helpfulness  in  the  years  that  are  to  be,  you  must  care  for 
these  things  now.  That  is  the  educational  value  which  is 
added  to  the  practical  value  of  the  Dejjartment  of  Mercy 
and  Help. 

35] 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  young  people  are  called  to  be  intelligent.  There  is 
growing  need  for  wisdom  as  well  as  devotion  in  the  service 
of  God.  The  unintelligent  Christian  of  to-morrow  will 
be  at  the  greatest  possible  disadvantage.  But  intelligence 
concerning  the  Church,  concerning  the  place  of  Christianity 
in  the  world's  life,  concerning  the  relation  of  all  activity 
to  the  religious  life,  must  be  secured  now ;  to-morrow,  when 
it  will  be  most  needed,  it  will  be  out  of  reach. 

The  young  people  are  called  to  prepare  for  their  life- 
work.  This  is  the  time  of  choice.  What  are  you  going  to 
be?  Why  are  you  going  to  be  that?  Have  you  considered 
your  choice  of  a  life  pursuit  from  the  point  of  view  of 
personal  preference  or  convenience  or  profit,  or  have  you 
taken  into  account  the  claims  of  the  Kingdom  of  God? 

We  must  have  more  preachers  or  the  Church  must  lose 
ground ;  we  must  have  more  deaconesses  or  the  multiplied 
ministry  of  helpfulness  for  which  they  exist  will  not  be 
provided,  to  the  world's  sore  loss ;  we  must  have  more  mis- 
sionaries or  the  Christian  Church  must  retreat  in  the  very 
places  where  it  has  accomplished  its  great  victories. 

How  do  you  know  you  are  not  called  to  be  a  minister 
or  a  deaconess  or  a  missionary  ?  Have  you  ever  asked 
whether  such  a  call  was  likely  to  come  to  you?  Make  sure 
of  one  thing — that  you  know  what  you  are  going  to  do,  and 
why  you  are  going  to  do  it,  and  that  it  is  God's  plan  for  you. 

That  will  make  every  day  Anniversary  Day ! 

For  the  Sunday  Nearest  the  Fourth  of  July. 

Before  the  meeting  write  at  the  top  of  the  blackboard 
the  two  words,  "Righteousness,"  "Sin,"  drawing  a  line  be- 
tween them  down  the  center  of  the  board.  Ask  five  or  six 
members  to  be  ready  to  speak,  each  one  giving  an  example 
of  righteousness  in  our  National  life,  such  as  Negro  emanci- 
pation, the  rescue  of  Cuba,  the  regeneration  of  the  Philip- 
pines, the  banishment  of  lotteries,  the  Red  Cross,  universal 
education,  fifteen  churches  a  day,  the  abolition  of  the  can- 
teen, the  quickening  of  the  social  conscience,  the  gains  of 
temperance.  Ask  five  or  six  to  be  ready  to  speak  in  the  like 
manner  on  great  National  sins:  the  American  saloon,  our 
misgoverned    cities,   the   neglected    slums,    the    worship    of 

352 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

money,  the  Mormon  disgrace,  the  divorce  evil,  the  degrada- 
tion of  the  day  of  rest,  the  widespread  passion  for  gam- 
bling, the  growing  hatred  between  employer  and  employed. 
Confine  each  speaker  to  one  minute.  As  they  speak,  put  in 
the  proper  column  the  word  or  phrase  which  describes  each 
theme.  Then  call  for  additions  to  the  list,  on  either  side 
of  the   central   line.      See   where   the   heaviest   total    falls. 

Ask  some  one  to  read  or  repeat  Lincoln's  Gettysburg 
speech. 

Drape  the  speaker's  stand  with  a  flag,  and  place  the 
Bible  on  the  top. 

Singing:     "Battle-hymn  of  the  Republic." 

Pra}rer,  by  the  leader  or  pastor. 

The  Scripture  lesson. 

One-minute  talks  on  "Things  that  shame  us." 

Singing. 

General  testimony,  following  the  lead  of  the  one-minute 
talks,  and  answering  the  question,  "What  can  Christian 
citizens  do?" 

Prayers:  of  contrition  for  National  sins,  of  supplica- 
tion for  God's  guidance  of  the  Nation,  of  petition  for 
strength  to  be  Christian  citizens. 

Singing:     "America." 

The  League  benediction. 

Independence  Day. 

The  Epworth  League  has  no  mission  to  celebrate  the 
glorious  Fourth  in  the  stereotyped  and  meaningless  fashion 
which  is  nowadays  so  popular.  That  will  be  attended  to 
with  a  vigor  worthy  of  a  better  method.  But  it  has  a  call 
to  a  better  thing — to  the  work  of  making  Independence  Day 
a  day  of  genuine  patriotism  and  renewed  devotion  to  the 
highest  ideals  of  American  citizenship. 

Plan  for  a  celebration.  Begin  long  before  the  day,  and 
make  your  preparation  as  varied  and  complete  as  your  re- 
sources will  permit.  Enlist  everybody  in  the  work.  Co- 
operate with  all  the  other  young  people's  societies,  the 
Sunday  schools,  the  fraternal  orders,  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  the  Sons  of  Veterans,  and  everybody  else 
who  can  be  interested  in  a  really  patriotic  celebration. 
23  353 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Provide  all  the  fun-making  and  noise-making  events  you 
choose — the  more  the  better,  so  long  as  they  do  not  obscure 
the  real  purpose  of  the  day. 

The  central  point  of  the  celebration  is  the  speaking. 
Get  the  very  best  orator  you  can  find.  Be  sure  he  is  not 
a  mere  mouther  of  braggadocio.  On  the  other  hand,  do  not 
invite  a  gloomy-hearted,  dyspeptic  prophet  of  National 
calamity.  The  Fourth  of  July  oration  should  be  hopeful, 
yet  frank  enough  to  recognize  the  Nation's  dangers ;  it  may 
leave  out  some  of  the  old  flights  of  patriotic  rhetoric  in 
order  to  make  room  for  the  plain  statement  of  the  Chris- 
tian citizen's  plain  business  in  politics  and  civic  life,  and 
it  must  exalt  above  all  things  the  Christian  ideal  of  National 
and  individual  conduct. 

Here  is  a  program  which  will  furnish  a  hint  or  two, 
out  of  which  the  particular  program  you  need  may  be 
evolved : 

6  A.  M.  Flag  raising,  with  an  Independence  Day  sa- 
lute. (Let  your  cannonading,  or  whatever  substitute  for 
it  is  adopted,  be  wholly  in  charge  of  a  competent  and  care- 
ful individual.) 

10.30  A.  M.  Procession  to  park  or  grove,  with  a  float 
or  two;  organizations  in  uniform;  citizens  afoot,  mounted, 
or  in  carriages;  the  "thirteen  original  States,"  represented 
by  young  ladies  in  costume. 

Upon  arrival  at  speaker's  stand: 

Hymn,  "America." 

Prayer. 

Reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  (Be  care- 
ful to  choose  a  good  reader.) 

Patriotic  song  by  "the  thirteen  States." 

Flag  drill. 

Recitation,  "Liberty  Bell." 

Adjournment  for  dinner,  picnic  fashion. 

2.  P.  M.     The  orator  of  the  day. 

3  P.  M.     The  games  and  sports. 

9  P.  M.  Co-operative  fireworks.  (By  uniting  forces  on 
the  fireworks,  the  smallest  community  may  have  a  display 
that  will  astonish  the  natives.) 

354 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

The  Rally  Days. 
These  days,  on  which   special  attention  is  directed  to 
the  definite  plans  of  study  and  work  which  the  Epworth 
League  presents  each  year,  ought  to  be  observed  not  merely 
with  enthusiasm,  but  with  an  entelligent  enthusiasm. 

Bible  Study  Rally  Day  is  fully  considered  with  the 
other  work  of  the  First  Department  on  pages  162  to  164; 
Mission  Study  Rally  Day  has  adequate  discussion  in  its 
place  with  the  work  of  the  Second  Department,  pages 
170  to  172. 

After  summer's  inevitable  slackening  of  effort,  many 
Chapters  find  it  profitable  to  set  a  day,  usually  in  Septem- 
ber, to  mark  the  resumption  of  full  Epworth  League  activ- 
ity. Why  should  not  your  Chapter  do  this?  Perhaps  it 
is  just  the  stimulus  it  needs  to  start  vigorously  on  the  carry- 
ing out  of  the  year's  program. 

The  Epworth  League  year  begins  now.  In  a  few 
weeks  the  Bible  study  classes  will  be  hard  at  work.  Some 
mission  study  and  Social  Service  study  courses  will  be 
planned  for  the  winter.  There  are  inviting  fields  waiting 
to  be  entered,  where  half  a  dozen  sorts  of  courageous  labor 
may  be  done.  What  will  your  Chapter  do  ?  What  will  you 
do  as  an  individual  Christian  and  Epworthian? 

You  will  not  need  any  new  supply  of  courage  to  do 
nothing.  That  can  be  done  usually  by  the  most  craven- 
hearted  weakling.  Perhaps  you  have  found  out  how  easy 
it  is  to  be  idle.  And  how  profitless  as  well.  You  may  have 
felt  in  your  own  soul  the  woe  that  comes  to  those  who  are 
at  ease  in  Zion. 

Then  do  something.  Remember  that  every  Christian  is 
called  to  service,  and  that  service  is  not  condescension. 
God's  great  service  to  us  did  not  grow  out  of  the  fact  that 
He  pities  us,  butt  out  of  the  fact  that  He  is  God,  and 
Divinity  is  service.  The  more  we  serve,  the  more  godlike 
we  are. 

What  shall  you  do?  The  same  old  things  your  Chapter 
has  been  doing  from  the  beginning?  Yes,  if  they  are 
profitable.  Do  not  be  like  the  Athenians,  carried  away  by 
mere  novelty.  But  yet  do  some  new  thing  also.  Consider 
how  many  of  your  Chapter  members  are  active  members 

355 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

only  in  name;  how  many  associate  members  have  ver\T  little 
association  with  you.  Remember  that  your  ideal  should  be, 
"To  every  man  his  work,"  and  to  every  woman,  too. 

Find  something  worth  doing.  Do  not  be  satisfied  to 
polish  your  buttons.  Do  not  fritter  away  time  and  talents 
on  things  that  are  not  wortli  while,  or  that  could  better  be 
done  by  some  other  sort  of  society.  Let  your  work  have 
definite  relation  to  the  aims  and  ideals  of  the  Epworth 
League. 

As  to  the  specific  things  to  choose  there  is  a  wide  range. 
You  can  suit  all  Christian  tastes  and  capacities.  Here  is 
a  mere  hint:  start  a  Bible  class,  or  a  mission  study  class, 
or  a  class  in  one  of  the  new  study  courses.  Enroll  all  you 
can  as  Christian  Stewards,  and  as  Comrades  of  the  Morn- 
ing Watch.  Adopt  the  Parish  Abroad  Plan.  Get  into  new 
avenues  of  Social  Service.  Take  up  some  form  of  literary 
work.  Plan  some  constructive  and  helpful  recreational 
activities.  Search  out  some  new  way  of  co-operating  with 
the  pastor,  and  ask  him  to  help  you  in  the  search.  Ask 
yourselves  if  there  is  not  some  assistance  you  can  render 
the  cause  of  better  citizenship.  Get  into  line  in  the  fight 
against  intoxicants.  Tell  the  pastor  he  may  count  on  you 
to  help  in  the  revival  meetings  and  in  the  preliminary  home 
prayer-meetings  leading  up  to  the  revival. 

And,  having  found  something,  or  several  things,  that 
need  to  be  done,  do  not  hesitate  because  they  seem  too 
great  for  you.  Remember  whose  servant  you  are,  and  what 
He  has  promised.  Read  the  charge  to  Joshua  in  the  first 
chapter  of  the  book  of  that  name.  Thank  God  that  He  has 
shown  you  a  task — not  only  worthy  of  you,  but  worthy  of 
Himself — and  go  about  the  doing  of  it  as  unto  the  Lord. 

A  Cabinet  meeting  should  be  held  a  week  before  this 
"Fall  Opening"  meeting,  if  possible.  If  the  Cabinet  decides 
to  take  up  some  new  form  of  work  this  year,  there  can  be 
no  better  time  to  announce  it  than  now,  and  to  enlist  the 
co-operation  of  every  member. 

In  case  this  is  done,  divide  the  time  of  the  meeting 
into  three  parts:  the  first,  for  the  discussion  of  the  topic 
in  its  larger  and  more  general  aspect;  the  second,  for  the 
representation  and  explanation  of  the  new  plans ;  and  the 

350 


THE  LEAGUES  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

third,  for  some  brief  but  earnest  and  definite  moments  of 
solemn  dedication  to  and  acceptance  of  the  new  work. 

Some  New  Departure. 

Do  you  wonder  what  the  "new  thing"  may  be?  Look 
over  the  list  below,  and  see  if  you  are  doing  everything  it 
suggests.  If  not,  take  up  one  or  more  of  the  enterprises 
named,  and  put  your  Chapter  after  them  in  real  earnest, 
of  course  being  careful  to  neglect  no  fruitful  work  already 
under  way. 

A  class  in  the  study  of  Christian  Experience,  and  an- 
other in  the  study  of  Personal  Evangelism.  These  two 
highly  important  and  closely  related  subjects  are  now  pro- 
vided with  brief  but  exceedingly  useful  courses  of  study. 

The  Bible  Study  Class.  There  are  several  courses  now 
available,  covering  from  eight  to  twenty-five  weeks,  and 
with  abundant  helps  from  the  Central  Office. 

The  Mission  Study  Class.  Write  to  the  Missionary 
Education  Department,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  for 
information  concerning  the  work. 

The  Social  Service  Study  Class.  No  Chapter  can  afford 
to  neglect  this  phase  of  its  work.  The  text-books  are 
fascinatingly  interesting.  Get  particulars  from  the  Central 
Office. 

The  use  of  the  Morning  Watch  Enrollment.  This  is 
a  method  of  using  the  early  morning  hour  for  Bible  reading, 
meditation,  and  prayer.      Ask  the  Central   Office  about  it. 

The  Christian  Stewardship  Enrollment.  This  is  a  plan 
for  those  who  believe — and  who  does  not? — that  the  Chris- 
tian is  a  steward,  a  trustee,  of  all  he  possesses.  The  Central 
Office  will  explain  it  fully. 

The  Parish  Abroad  Plan.  By  adopting  this  plan  your 
Chapter  will  come  into  direct  communication  with  some  mis- 
sionary in  the  foreign  field,  in  whose  support  you  share. 
Information  will  be  gladly  given  you  by  the  Board  of  For- 
eign Missions,  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York. 

Co-operation  with  hospitals  and  deaconesses.  The  num- 
ber of  institutions  under  deaconess  control  and  institutions 
for  the  relief  of  all  manner  of  distress  is  constantly  in- 
creasing.    They  have  many  needs.     Ask  your  pastor  what 

357 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAX. 

institutions  are  so  situated  that  you  can  easily  get  into  touch 
with  them  and  help  them. 

A  Chapter  survey,  surely;  and  a  community  survey  un- 
less circumstances  positively  prevent  it.  See  suggestions 
on  page  67. 

A  reading  college.  The  hints  given  on  page  265  tell 
how  easily  this  admirable  plan  can  be  worked.  It  has 
been  a  notable  success  in  big  Chapters  and  in  little,  in  city 
and  in  country.     How  do  you  know  it  would  fail  with  you? 

A  lecture  course.  On  pages  268  to  270  you  will  find 
a  well-digested  plan  for  a  successful  lecture  course.  Why 
should  not  your  Chapter  have  some  such  provision  for 
winter  evening  recreation  and  instruction  t 

A  reading-room.  Perhaps  you  are  in  a  community 
where  there  is  no  public  reading-room,  and  no  place  where 
the  young  men  and  boys  can  gather  for  an  evening  of 
pleasant  and  innocent  amusement.  Why  not  establish  a 
reading-room,  with  a  social-room  adjoining,  furnished  with 
some  good  periodicals  and  books,  and  some  harmless  games  ? 

Systematic  visiting.  Do  you  know  the  people  in  your 
neighborhood  ?  Have  you  found  all  the  recruits  for  the 
League  and  the  Sunday  school  that  the  community  affords  ? 
Has  your  Social  Service  Department  a  working  knowledge 
of  the  people  who  should  be  reached  and  helped  ?  Look 
up  the  suggestions  on  this  subject  on  pages  230  to  234. 

A  Suggested  Rally  Day  Program. 

Song  service,  using  vigorous  songs  of  dedication  and  in- 
spiration. For  example,  instead  of  singing,  "Let  us  rally, 
rally,  rally,"  etc.,  sing,  "The  Son  of  God  goes  forth  to  war." 

Brief  prayers,  from  a  number  of  members  who  are  eager 
that  they  and  the  Chapter  shall  do  large  things  for  God 
this  year.  Speak  to  many  people  in  advance,  asking  them 
to  be  prepared   for  this  part  of  the  service. 

Scripture  lesson,  and  the  presentation  of  the  general 
topic  by  the  leader. 

"Vision  and  Task" — a  brief  but  earnest  presentation 
by  each  Vice-President  of  the  ideals  and  purposes  of  the 
four  departments  for  the  year,  witli  sketchy  outlines  of  the 

358 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

various  forms  of  work  to  be  undertaken,  and  an  appeal  for 
new  recruits   for  the  department  work. 

"The  Challenge  of  Our  Special  Opportunity" — a  stir- 
ring message  from  the  Chapter  President. 

"The  Gracious  Invitation" — an  address  by  the  pastor, 
inviting  the  Christian  young  people  present  to  a  new  dedi- 
cation of  themselves  and  their  powers  to  Christ,  and  invit- 
ing the  unsaved  to  seek  Christ  in  pardon  and  new  life. 
This  should  bring  a  great  company  about  the  altar  for  the 
final  moments  of  the  service. 

After  the  benediction  the  officers  should  get  the  names 
of  all  those  who  are  willing  to  become  members  of  the 
League,  and  of  all  members  who  desire  to  help  in  the  work 
of  the  several  departments. 

Another  Program:    "Better  Work  Our  Chapter 
Should  Do." 

Let  the  Cabinet  be  consulted  before  the  meeting.  There 
may  be  some  old  plans  of  work  which  can  be  strengthened, 
some  new  ones  begun ;  and  the  Cabinet  alone  has  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  situation  which  the  leader  of  this  meeting  must 
get.     Then  build  a  program  something  after  this  fashion : 

Song  service:     Hymns  of  activity  and  zeal. 

Prayer — many  taking  part — for  God's  blessing  on  what 
has  been  done  hitherto,  with  contrition  because  it  was  not 
what  it  might  have  been,  for  the  Chapter  and  its  members, 
for  the  work  to  be  done  in  and  for  the  Chapter,  for  the 
work  to  be  done  in  the  larger  field  outside,  for  the  doing 
of  all  things  from  right  motives  and  with  holy  purposes,  for 
all  whom  the  Chapter  may  be  able  to  help — the  sick,  the 
distressed,  the  lonely,  the  discouraged,  the  unsaved. 

The  leader  speaks:  "Things  which  accompany  salva- 
tion." 

The  pastor  speaks:     "The  Christian  obligation." 

Singing. 

A  Symposium:  "What  'better  things'  in  my  depart- 
ment?" by  the  four  Vice-Presidents,  the  Secretary,  and  the 
Treasurer.     (Two  minutes  each.) 

Singing. 

Seven  Questions:     What  are  we  here  for? 
359 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

What  more  than  I  have  done  can  I  do? 

How  can  membership  in  our  Chapter  be  made  to  mean 
more  than  it  does  now? 

How  can  we — I — get  the  inactive  members  of  the  Chap- 
ter to  take  more  interest  in  its  work? 

What  do  I  need  first — a  new  method  of  work,  or  a  new 
devotion  to  Jesus  Christ? 

What  is  the  chief  hindrance  to  better  work  in  our 
Chapter? 

What  "better  thing"  would  our  Lord  ask  us  to  do  if  He 
should  come  in  person  to  our  Chapter? 

General  testimony  in  answer  to  one  or  more  of  the  seven 
questions  printed  above  (which  should  be  put  on  a  large 
sheet  of  paper,  or  on  the  blackboard). 

A  hymn  of  dedication. 

Closing  moments  of  dedication  to  "better  things"  for 
God,  the  members  kneeling  and  uniting  in  confession  and 
petition  that  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  meeting 
may  not  be  lost. 

Epworth  League  Rally  Day. 
the  rally  day  spirit. 

Get  it.  But  do  n't  try  to  "work  it  up."  That  way  you 
can  have  a  lively  program  with  plenty  of  "go"  in  it,  and  you 
may  think  the  meeting  has  been  a  success. 

And  that  is  the  worst  thing  about  all  this  cheap  fuss 
and  folly.  It  deceives  people  into  thinking  they  have  done 
something  great  when,  in  fact,  they  have  done  the  one  thing 
that  prevents  anything  great  from  coming  to  their  Chapter. 

No;  Rally  Day  must  be  a  day  of  large  meaning,  not 
only  for  the  moment,  but  for  the  whole  year.  So  must  you 
get  the  spirit  of  the  day. 

What  is  the  spirit? 

An  honest,  humble  understanding  that  you  and  the 
Chapter  have  not  come  up  to  your  best  in  the  service  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

A  deep  and  sincere  purpose  to  have  done  with  the 
failures  of  the  past. 

A   consuming  ambition  to   let  the    Lord    Christ   do   the 

3  GO 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

work  He  longs  to  do  in  and  through  every  member  of 
the  Chapter. 

An  ardent  personal  love  and  devotion  to  the  Christ  as 
the  only  motive  big  enough  to  energize  any  disciple's  life. 

An  intelligent  grasp  of  the  next  duty  for  yourself  and 
your  Chapter. 

Now,  this  sort  of  Rally  Day  spirit  does  not  depend  on 
the  externals  of  decorations,  advertising,  special  music,  at- 
tractive speakers.  All  that  is  good,  but  it  is  incidental. 
The  main  business  of  the  day  is  spiritual,  intimate,  dealing 
with  the  lasting  realities. 

So  there  must  be  some  heart  searching  and  much  prayer, 
and  a  frank  sincerity  in  facing  the  League's  work. 

As  an  aid  to  the  getting  of  the  Rally  Day  spirit,  can  not 
something  be  done  with  a  Cabinet  meeting  for  prayer  and 
study  of  the  situation?  Ask  the  pastor  to  be  present.  Let 
the  keynote  of  the  hour  be,  for  every  officer,  "Lord,  what 
wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do?"  Go  over  the  list  of  the  Chap- 
ter's activities.  Determine  what  work  needs  pushing  and 
what  can  safely  be  dropped.  Study  the  whole  field  of  pos- 
sible new  enterprises,  and,  with  the  pastor's  help,  select  one 
or  two  that  with  proper  effort  may  be  carried  on  during  the 
year.  Unless  there  are  really  valid  reasons  against  such 
work,  be  sure  that  Bible  study  and  mission  study  classes 
are  included  in  the  year's  program.  ■ 

In  the  Rally  Day  meeting  put  the  whole  responsibility 
for  the  League's  work  where  it  belongs,  on  the  hearts  and 
consciences  of  the  members.  Every  one  stands  in  his  place 
in  Christ's  stead,  and  Christ's  work  there  depends  on  him. 
But  he  must  be  Christ's  before  he  can  serve  Christ. 

Multiplication  by  Addition,  Subtraction,  and  Division. 

The  RalLy  Day  spirit  is  much  more  than  any  mere 
"hurrah."  It  is  easy  to  have  a  lively  program,  full  of  a  sort 
of  slap-dash  enthusiasm,  without  putting  any  new  interest 
or  definite  purpose  into  the  mind  and  heart  of  a  single 
member. 

Such  a  program  is  not  only  easy,  but  deceptive.  The 
unthinking  say,  "Wasn't  that  a  great  meeting?"  It  was; 
but  much  ado  about  nothing.     And — the  pity  of  it — so  many 

36] 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

people  were  happy  over  something  which  actually  prevented 
any  real  advance  in  the  Chapter's  work  and  life. 

Rally  by  all  means.  But  to  what?  To  a  single,  fussy, 
bustling,  shallow  sort  of  meeting  on  Rally  Day?  There's 
no  gain  in  that.  No;  rally  to  your  task!  Eight  or  nine 
months  of  splendid  opportunity  are  before  you.  Discovei 
what  that  opportunity  is,  and  grip  it.  The  Master  whom 
you  serve  has  work  for  your  Chapter  to  do.  Find  it.  And 
then  do  it. 

Rally  Day,  observed  for  that  purpose,  will  be  worth  a 
dozen  ordinary  days.  Be  unwilling  that  anything  shall 
spoil  it  or  cripple  its  influence. 

Make  sure  of  some  things  beforehand ;  among  them 
these : 

You  have  n't  done  all  you  could  for  Jesus  Christ  in  your 
Chapter,  but  you  mean  to  change  that. 

You  are  not  going  to  measure  the  prospects  of  the  future 
by  the  failures  of  the  past. 

You  are  determined  that  the  Lord  Christ  shall  really  be 
in  control  of  your  personal  and  Chapter  life  this  year. 

You  are  going  to  discover  as  many  things  to  do  worth 
doing  as  your  Chapter  ought  to  attempt.  Then  you  will 
find  out  how  to  do  those  things.  And  then  you  will  get  at 
them  and  do  them. 

If  you  make  sure  of  these  things,  you  can  build  a  Rally 
Day  program  that  will  be  not  only  vastly  more  useful  and 
lasting  in  its  influence  than  the  cheap  "hurrah"  meeting, 
but  that  will  be  in  itself  more  interesting  and  will  rouse 
more  genuine  enthusiasm  among  your  members. 

Rally — but  rally  to  something  worth  while ! 

Rally  Day:    A  Talk  With  League  Leaders. 

Rally  Day  ought  not  to  be  a  day  at  all,  but  a  sta'e  of 
mind.  It  is  the  beginning  of  the  fall  and  winter  work  of 
the  Epworth  League.  If  it  is  observed  as  a  mass  meeting, 
a  mere  soda-water  substitute  for  real  purpose  and  power,  it 
will  be  a  cheap  performance  and  barren. 

To  observe  Rally  Day  rightly  there  must  be  a  setting 
up  of  plans  that  are  worthy  of  the  League's  place  vi  the 
Church  and  the  community. 

362 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

There  must  be  a  careful  consideration  of  the  things 
which  the  Chapter  needs  to  do  for  its  own  members.  The 
development  of  efficiency  must  come  first.  True,  that  effi- 
ciency may  be  secured  by  what  commercial  schools  call 
"actual  business  practice,''  the  learning  to  do  by  doing,  but 
the  first  thing  to  be  sought  is  not  a  profit  from  business, 
but  proficiency  in  the  doing  of  it. 

So  give  study  and  training  a  prominent  place. 

That  means  study  classes,  and  conferences  with  the 
pastor,  and  surveys  of  the  Chapter's  field,  and  inquiry  as 
to  the  forms  of  local  and  long-distance  ministry  which  may 
be  best  fitted  to  the  Chapter's  powers  and  circumstances. 

After  study,  service.  No  Epworth  League  Chapter  is 
so  unhappily  situated  that  it  must  needs  spend  all  its 
energies  on  itself.  And  no  Chapter  is  so  poverty-stricken 
or  so  incapable  that  it  can  not  make  itself  profitable  to  its 
own  Church  and  to  its  own  community  and  to  the  Kingdom 
of  God. 

This  is  not  the  place  to  speak  of  specific  forms  of  study 
or  of  service.  The  programs  published  elsewhere  in  this 
paper  are  rich  in  suggestions  which  any  alert  Epworthian 
can  adapt  to  his  own  Chapter's  work. 

But  let  one  thing  be  said  for  every  Chapter's  program. 
Give  it  balance !  Do  not  let  it  be  all  entertainment  or  all 
missionary  or  all  devotional  meeting.  Our  scheme  for  the 
departments  is  ideal;  nothing  less  is  sufficient  to  give  the 
League  the  training  and  the  chance  of  service  which  it 
needs. 

Make  the  first  department  a  great  means  of  usefulness. 
Give  the  devotional  meeting  most  careful  thought.  Deter- 
mine to  improve  it.  There  \s  room.  The  new  material 
offered  by  The  Herald  will  help.  Magnify  the  part  of 
prayer  in  the  meeting.  Encourage  concerted  silent  prayer 
for  definite  objects.  Learn  the  joy  of  interceding  for 
people  and  causes  beyond  your  personal  reach.  And  seek 
steadily  to  secure  the  increase  of  spiritual  power  through 
the   work  of  the  devotional   meeting. 

Keep  Bible  study  to  the  front.  Provide  for  team  work 
with  the  Sunday  school.  Do  not  use  overlapping  courses, 
or  permit  duplication  of  effort. 

363 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Get  ready  for  effective  evangelism,  first  with  your  own 
members  and  witli  the  Sunday  school  scholars  in  classes 
which  have  Epworthians  as  teachers.  Remember  that  evan- 
gelism is  both  an  inspiration  and  an  art.  The  inspiration 
comes  to  the  seeking  disciple ;  the  art  is  acquired  by  the 
practicing  disciple.  And  if  the  art  is  not  practiced,  the 
inspiration  is  withdrawn. 

Insist  on  a  real  Second  Department.  This  is  no  time  to 
forget  that  the  Epworth  League  has  had  a  great  place  in 
the  missionary  revival.  The  Church  needs  the  League's 
positive  help — not  just  its  sympathy — more  to-day  than 
ever.  The  special  opportunities  which  offer  themselves 
this  year  to  the  department  of  world  evangelism  are  con- 
sidered on  this  page.     Use  them. 

Give  the  Third  Department  a  fair  chance  to  become  in 
very  truth  a  Department  of  Social  Service.  Without  de- 
creasing its  usual  ministries,  let  it  undertake  something 
more,  so  that  the  Chapter's  vision  may  be  broadened  and 
made  clearer.  For  example  what  better  work  could  it  at- 
tempt than  the  making  of  a  community  survey?  If  plans 
and  directions  are  called  for,  The  Herald  will  be  glad  to 
supply  them. 

And  in  the  Fourth  Department  follow  the  bold  course ! 
Instead  of  cataloguing  the  things  your  members  can  not 
and  will  not  do — let  that  be  taken  for  granted — set  the 
standard  for  recreation  in  your  community.  Do  n't  imitate 
the  things  that  are  discredited ;  displace  them !  Whatever 
the  recreational  form — literary,  musical,  social,  or  that  most 
important  and  beautiful  thing  called  play — give  it  all  the 
stamp  of  sincerity  and  intelligence  and  thoroughness. 

Enough  of  this.  But  is  it  not  plain  that  the  field  of 
the  Epworth  League  is  a  wide  and  alluring  expanse,  full 
of  freedoms,  of  opportunities,  of  privileges,  and  of  powers 
to  be  developed  to  their  utmost? 

If  you  know  anybody  who  has  had  the  narrow  view 
of  the  League,  show  him  into  what  room  for  all  the  abound- 
ing young  life  of  the  Church  and  the  community  it  is  the 
open  door. 

And  invite  him  in  ! 

304 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

Epworth  Herald  Day. 

The  Second  Sunday  in  January  is  Epworth  Herald 
Day.  The  League  meeting  of  that  evening  is  devoted  to 
the  presentation  of  the  paper's  interests. 

If  The  Epworth  Herald  were  an  ordinary  paper  with 
no  special  claim  on  the  young  people,  there  would  be  no 
reason  for  making  it  the  subject  of  a  Sunday  night  service 
in  the  Epworth  League. 

But,  to  begin  with,  it  is  the  one  official  organ  of  the 
Epworth  League.  As  such  it  carries  all  the  messages  of 
the  League's  officers  to  our  great  Epworth  League  army. 

Then,  it  is  of  great  importance  to  the  Epworth  League 
for  helping  in  the  leadership  and  conduct  of  the  Epworth 
League's  weekly  devotional  meeting.  Every  week  thou- 
sands of  leaders  turn  to  this  paper  for  guidance  and  sug- 
gestion in  their  work  of  getting  ready  for  the  meeting. 
More  thousands  of  members  turn  to  it  that  they  may  be 
able  to  take  intelligent  part  in  the  meeting. 

For  these  two  reasons,  if  for  no  others,  the  League 
authorities  feel  that  they  are  entirely  justified  in  asking  that 
the  Chapters  devote  this  service  to  the  paper  which  con- 
stantly serves  them.  But  many  other  reasons  appear  in  the 
paragraphs   that   follow. 

THE    EPWORTH    HERALD    AND    ITS    USES. 

The  Epworth  Herald  is  the  trade  paper  of  our  Meth- 
odist young  people,  teaching  them  the  trade,  telling  of  the 
trade's  progress,  describing  new  trade  methods,  promoting 
the  acquaintance  of  workers  at  the  trade,  and  constantly 
attracting  other  young  people  into  the  trade. 

The  trade  of  Methodist  young  people  is  the  business 
of  working  together  in  Christian  training  and  service,  and 
it  is  carried  on.  by  an  organization  of  more  than  three- 
quarters  of  a  million  members. 

It  is  not  easy  to  find  out  how  many  Epworthians  read 
The  Epworth  Herald.  At  the  date  this  book  went  to  press 
about  a  hundred  thousand  were  taking  the  paper,  but,  of 
course,  two  or  three  times  as  many  read  it.  One  copy 
may  be  read  by  a  whole  family,  and  many  copies  are  passed 
on  from  reader  to  reader. 

365 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

x^ver}'  Epworthian  ought  to  read  The  Epworth  Herald, 
because  it  is  his  paper,  made  to  his  order,  working  for  his 
interests,  busy  with  his  affairs,  speaking  in  his  behalf, 
providing  him  with  the  means  of  Epworthian  efficiency. 
Every  Epworthian  who  does  n't  read  it  puts  needless  limits 
to  his  own  League  usefulness. 

The  League  could  get  along  without  The  Herald.  It  did 
in  the  beginning.  But  only  for  a  year.  Doubtless  the  thing 
could  be  done  again.  In  the  same  way,  Epworthians  could 
get  along  without  telephones  and  rural  delivery  and  bath- 
tubs and  high  schools  and  vacations.  Yet  why  should  they? 
When  a  thing  does  n't  exist  we  get  along  without  it.  But 
nobody  wants  to  end  the  existence  of  any  good  thing  on 
that  account. 

The  Herald  does  not  help  all  Epworthians  equally. 
Some  need  it  more  than  others,  some  read  it  more  than 
others,  some  heed  it  more  than  others.  But  no  Epworthian, 
from  President  to  newest  member,  will  say  that  it  has  no 
value  for  him.  It  is  particularly  useful  to  the  officers  and 
the  department  workers. 

The  Herald  helps  the  League  President  to  know  more 
about  the  League  than  any  other  member,  which  is  his 
business.  He  finds  The  Herald  a  text-book,  a  road  map, 
a  League  barometer,  a  combination  tool,  and  a  tonic  for 
flagging  energies.  When  he  can  get  all  these  things  every 
week  for  less  than  a  two-cent  stamp,  he  must  be  a  short- 
sighted President  if  he  does  n't  see  that  in  his  business  it 
is  worth  the  price. 

Its  special  advantage  for  the  First  Department  is  that 
it  is  a  constant  reminder  that  personal  religion  is  the 
central  idea  of  the  League.  It  promotes  Bible  study;  it 
is  as  nearly  a  personal  evangelist  as  paper  and  ink  can  be- 
come. It  gives  much  space  to  methods  for  the  First  De- 
partment. 

The  Herald  can  do  everything  for  the  devotional  meet- 
ing if  the  leader  will  let  it,  except  what  he  should  do  for 
himself.  Its  pages  of  rich  material  for  that  meeting  will 
give  him  so  many  suggestions  that  he  will  not  be  able  to 
use  them   all.     And   he   will   not  use   any   of  them   parrot 

366 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

fashion,  but  intelligently,  so  that,  in  spite  of  all  his  helps, 
he  will  be  the  real  leader  of  the  meeting. 

The  missionary  reason  for  reading  The  Herald  is  that 
without  it  the  Second  Department  would  be  almost  help- 
less. Material  for  the  work  of  World  Evangelism  appears 
in  The  Epworth  Herald  more  often  than  in  any  other  paper 
within  reach  of  the  Epworthian.  The  Herald  is  a  real 
missionary  paper,  helping  the  Second  Vice-President  in 
mission  study,  missionary  interest,  Christian  Stewardship, 
missionary  vision.  It  has  never  yet  apologized  for  the 
missionary  enterprise. 

The  Herald's  stand  on  the  Department  of  Social  Service 
is  simply  this :  with  all  modesty  it  can  claim  some  of  the 
credit  for  the  adoption  of  the  new  ideas.  For  a  whole  year 
it  worked  to  popularize  the  name.  It  printed  large  por- 
tions of  what  became  the  first  Epworth  League  text-book 
on  Social  Service.  It  brings  to  the  Third  Vice-President 
all  the  help  afforded  by  the  Methodist  Federation  for  Social 
Service. 

What  about  Recreation  and  Culture?  Very  much.  The 
Herald  urged  strongly  the  adoption  of  the  recreation  idea 
by  the  League,  and  is  doing  more  than  any  other  institution 
to  promote  popular  and  wholesome  recreation  for  the 
Church's  young  people.  It  works  ceaselessly  for  the 
recognition  of  play  as  a  great  Christian  and  cultural  agency. 
Nor  does  it  content  itself  with  generalities.  It  gets  down 
to  definite  methods,  usable  everywhere. 

Some  may  ask  if  there  is  anything  in  The  Herald  for 
the  younger  folks,  the  boys  and  the  girls.  The  answer  is, 
never  less  than  three  pages  a  week ;  often  more.  The  right 
sort  of  stories,  the  right  sort  of  crisp  and  snappy  para- 
graphs, and  a  most  delightful  treatment  of  the  Junior 
League  topics.  The  Herald  helps  to  hold  the  Juniors 
through  the  years"  when  they  are  sometimes  feeling  a  little 
too  old  and  sometimes  a  little  too  young,  the  very  age  when 
they  are  hardest  to  hold  and  need  to  be  held  most  steadily. 

The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  are  included  in  the  list 
of  The  Herald's  beneficiaries.  The  Secretary  is  the  Chap- 
ter's information  bureau ;  consequently  he  himself  must  al- 
ways be  informed.     The  Treasurer  is  a  much  larger  official 

367 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

than  would  be  needed  merely  to  collect  dues  and  pay  bills. 
He  's  a  Professor  of  Christian  Stewardship,  and  all  the 
Chapter's  members  are  his  pupils. 

There  is  plenty  inducement  held  out  by  The  Herald 
to  those  who  are  just  members.  All  that  has  been  men- 
tioned so  far  is  also  for  the  "mere  members."  The  League 
stands  for  all-round  efficiency,  and  not  for  mere  depart- 
mental specializing.  Every  member  needs  to  keep  in  touch 
and  sympathy  with  every  part  of  the  League's  work.  And 
any  member  may  be  called  to  department  leadership  at 
any  time.  Besides,  The  Herald  is  the  Epworthian's  link 
with  the  great  Church.  All  the  Church's  great  movements 
are  recorded  and  interpreted  in  the  paper;  because  it  is 
for  young  people  it  has  less  to  do  with  the  routine  and 
officialism  of  the  Church  than  the  other  papers,  and  can  give 
its  attention  to  things  of  direct  human  interest  and  of 
universal  appeal. 

The  ideal  relation  of  the  Epworthian  to  The  Herald  is 
not  commercial,  at  a  dollar  for  fifty-two  numbers,  nor 
simply  so  much  reading  for  leisure  hours.  The  Epworthian 
and  The  Herald  should  be  as  inseparable  as  the  engineer 
and  his  engine ;  each  is  necessary  to  the  work  of  the  other. 

WHY    THE    CABINET    SHOULD    TAKE    THE    HERALD. 

The  President:  Because  it  is  a  real  leader  of  young 
life. 

The  First  Vice-President:  Because  it  makes  much  of 
personal  religion  and  personal  Christian  influences. 

The  Second  Vice-President:  Because  it  shows  the  re- 
ality and  reasonableness  of  world  evangelism. 

The  Third  Vice-President:  Because  it  stands  for  serv- 
ice, love,  and  mercy  as  part  of  every  Christian's  religion. 

The  Fourth  Vice-President:  Because  it  emphasizes  the 
joy  of  the  Christian  life,  and  insists  on  recreation,  amuse- 
ment, and  intelligence  being  in  the  young  Christian's  pro- 
gram. 

The  Secretary :  Because  it  records  and  preserves  the 
best  League  ideas  and  describes  all  noteworthy  League 
events. 

368 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

The  Treasurer:  Because  it  reckons  all  Christians  as 
stewards,  and  shows  them  how  to  operate  their  stewardship. 

The  Junior  Superintendent:  Because  it  is  a  large  help 
in  training  the  boys  and  girls  for  the  League  of  to-morrow. 

IF    OUR    LEAGUE    MEANS     BUSINESS. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  demand  more 
intelligence  in  its  leaders,  as  well  as  more  devotion. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  get  better  ac- 
quainted with  itself  by  rinding  out  what  it  is  doing  all  over 
its  wide  field. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  insist  that  its 
Cabinet  officers  are  in  possession  of  the  proper  tools. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  not  wait  longer 
for  a  more  thoughtful  and  independent  devotional  meeting. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  get  hold  of  new 
ideas  and  new  plans  that  others  have  worked  out  and  made 
profitable. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  listen  to  the  Gen- 
eral Secretary  and  follow  his  guidance  in  the  League's  great 
united  enterprises. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  want  to  keep  step 
with  all  the  other  divisions  of  the  Methodist  army  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  keep  its  eye  on  the 
Junior  League,  not  only  in  the  home  Church,  but  every- 
where. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  not  be  satisfied  to 
be  ignorant  of  the  missionary  appeal  or  of  missionary  facts. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  find  out  how  to  do 
more   sincere  and   direct   soul-winning  work. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  open  its  mind  to 
all  the  newly  important  truth  about  Social  Service. 

If  our  League  means  business  it  will  try  ever  new  ways 
of  winning  friends  and  holding  them  through  recreational 
activities. 

If  our  League  means  business  in  all  these  it  will  make 
an   Epworth    Herald    Club    its    first   business    every   year, 
because  all  league  business  is  herald  business. 
24  369 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Old   People's   Day. 

It  is  easy  to  neglect  the  aged.  But  it  is  neither  wise 
nor  kind.  "Old  People's  Day,"  observed  as  an  annual 
Church  festival,  will  do  much  to  repair  past  neglect  and 
prevent  future  slighting  of  those  whose  lifework  has  been 
bravely  done  and  who  are  now  a  little  aside  from  the  main 
currents  of  life  and  affairs. 

The  Epworth  League  is  the  proper  organization  for  the 
management  of  this  day.  The  tribute  which  you  pay  to 
age  is  always  grateful  to  the  aged,  and  graceful  in  the 
young. 

The  proper  observance  of  Old  People's  Day  calls  not  so 
much  for  special  talent  as  for  genuine  affection  and  interest. 
But  careful  preparation  must  be  made. 

First,  fix  the  date.  Some  prefer  an  early  summer  date, 
about  midway  in  June.  But  most  Chapters  have  found  the 
fall  more  convenient,  and  the  season  possesses  a  certain 
natural  appropriateness  which  will  find  expression  in  the 
decorations,  the  music,  the  addresses,  and  the  emotions  of 
the  guests. 

Make  a  careful  census  of  the  community.  If  yours  is 
the  only  Church,  put  all  the  old  people  on  the  invitation 
list.  If  there  are  other  Churches,  it  may  be  thought  best  to 
confine  the  list  to  the  families  connected  with  your  Church, 
though  even  in  that  case  invitations  are  not  to  be  restricted 
to  the  Church  membership.  There  are  many  old  people, 
not  members  of  the  Church,  to  whom  the  invitation  would 
bring  unmeasured  happiness. 

Send  a  written  or  printed  invitation  to  every  person 
on  the  list,  at  least  a  week  in  advance.  If  any  age  limit 
is  fixed,  do  not  set  it  below  sixty  years.  Perhaps  sixty-five 
is  better.  At  sixty-five  there  is  usually  no  sensitiveness 
about  being  called  elderly,  while  people  under  sixty  are 
often  in  the  prime  of  their  powers  and  do  not  care  to  be 
counted  old. 

Carriages  shoidd  be  provided  for  all  the  guests,  if  pos- 
sible. If  that  can  not  be  done,  be  sure  that  there  are  car- 
riages for  those  who  could  not  otherwise  be  present.  Of 
course,  there  will  be  careful  and  interested  drivers,  so  that 

370 


THE  LEAGUE'S  RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

no  timid  guest  need  hesitate  about  the  trip  to  and  from 
the  church. 

If  the  day  is  observed  in  the  early  summer,  flowers  will 
be  abundant,  and  tliey  should  be  freely  used  in  the  decora- 
tions. If  a  later  date  is  chosen,  the  decorations  may  include 
autumn  leaves,  ripe  grain,  and  the  fall  flowers,  especially 
the  old-fashioned  sorts.  With  these,  use  the  League  colors 
and  a  flag  or  two.     Ha\e  a  bouquet  ready  for  each  guest. 

The  old-time  hymns  will  be  sung,  of  course,  and  to  the 
old-time  tunes.  Do  not  leave  the  selection  of  hymns  to  the 
last  moment.  Ask  some  of  the  old  people  to  suggest  the 
favorite  hymns  of  their  youth,  and  be  careful  to  get  the 
music.  Some  of  our  modern  choirs  can  not,  without  the 
music,  sing  such  hymns  as  "O  Thou  in  whose  presence 
my  soul  takes  delight,"  or  "How  tedious  and  tasteless  the 
hours,"  or  "Jesus,  my  All,  to  heaven  is  gone." 

The  pastor  will  preach  an  appropriate  sermon,  or  per- 
haps some  aged  minister  can  be  selected  for  that  service. 
Some  good  themes  are:  "The  pilgrimage  of  life,"  "The  old 
paths,"  "Fruit  in  old  age,"  "Growing  old  gracefully,"  "The 
pathos  of  an  old  age  without  faith." 

At  the  close  of  the  sermon  shall  the  service  end?  No, 
the  Lord's  Supper  may  be  administered,  or  a  love-feast 
conducted,  or  an  old-time  class  meeting  held.  Whatever 
is  done,  let  it  be  arranged  so  that  the  guests  of  the  day 
shall  be  considered  and  provided  for  first. 

Many  Chapters  find  it  profitable,  in  connection  with 
Old  People's  Day,  to  hold  a  week-day  reception,  preferably 
in  the  afternoon.  The  same  decorations  will  serve,  in  part, 
and  others  may  be  added.  The  room  may  be  made  cozy 
with  rocking-chairs,  rugs,  and  cushions.  Two  or  three  short 
addresses,  more  or  less  reminiscent  in  tone ;  some  good 
music,  and  dainty  refreshments  will  make  an  attractive 
program.  Perhaps  letters  from  former  residents  may  be 
read. 

Old  People's  Day  will  fail  of  its  large  purpose  unless 
its  spirit  is  projected  into  the  ordinary  life  of  Chapter 
and  Church.  Through  the  year  there  should  be  occasional 
calls  on  the  old  people,  and   frequent  reminders  that  they 

371 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

are   loved   and   reverenced   by   the   younger   people   of    the 
Church. 

Thanksgiving  Day. 

Thanksgiving  Day  is,  first  of  all,  a  religious  festival. 
Otherwise  it  would  have  no  justification.  The  very  name 
pre-empts  the  day  for  the  expressing  of  gratitude  to  God. 

Of  course,  it  is  not  blameworthy  that  we  have  made 
the  day  a  very  human  festival  also.  It  is  properly  a  least 
day,  since  the  right  enjoyment  of  God's  material  gifts  is 
one  way  of  being  thankful  for  them.  But  neither  dinner 
nor  play  properly  shows  forth  the  spirit  of  the  day,  unless 
the  distinctively  religious  side  of  the  occasion  is  put  first. 

It  has  become  difficult  to  arrange  for  a  Thanksgiving 
service  in  the  church.  Many  pastors  have  tried  to  hold 
such  services,  and,  after  several  failures,  have  fallen  back 
on  the  expedient  of  union  Thanksgiving  services,  most  of 
which  are  no  better  attended  than  the  denominational  at- 
tempts  which   preceded   them. 

But  what  one  man  can  not  do,  a  group  of  interested  and 
resourceful  young  people  can  do.  The  pastor  can  provide 
the  sermon,  and  his  young  people,  if  they  will,  can  provide 
the  congregation.  Let  the  pastor  and  his  Epworthians  get 
together.  They  can  devise  a  new  dress  for  the  old  ob- 
servance, and  it  may  be  made  popular  once  more  to  go  to 
church  on  Thanksgiving  morning. 

Relieve  the  pastor  of  all  the  details  of  the  service.  Let 
him  have  the  opportunity  to  put  into  a  thirty-minute  sermon 
the  best  that  is  in  him  for  this  occasion.  Tell  him  if  he 
will  provide  a  message  you  will  see  that  he  gets  a  hearing. 

Prepare  special  music.  Work  with  and  through  the 
leader  of  the  choir,  and  get  the  singers  to  pledge  their 
presence  at  the  service.  Usually,  you  know,  singing  at  a 
Thanksgiving  service  is  pretty  uncertain,  but  nearly  always 
doleful.  If  you  can  promise  reform  in  that  direction  you 
will  have  already  interested  some  people. 

Decorate  the  church.  Make  it  bright  with  flowers  and 
potted  plants,  with  the  National  colors,  and  with  the  colors 
of  the  League.  Provide  a  little  buttonhole  bouquet  for 
everybody  who  comes.  Post  ushers  at  the  doors  to  welcome 
the  people  as  they  come. 

372 


THE  LEAGUE'S   RED-LETTER  DAYS. 

Advertise.  The  media  of  advertising  are  numberless — 
cards,  dodgers,  newspaper  notices,  window  posters,  postal 
cards,  printed  invitations,  but  a  living,  walking  advertise- 
ment is  the  best  of  them  all.  Recommend  the  service.  Ask 
people  to  recognize  it  as  part  of  their  Thanksgiving  pro- 
gram. Invite  them  to  bring  their  guests.  Promise — and 
keep  your  word — that  the  service  shall  last  exactly  one 
hour,  and  that  by  twelve  o'clock  all  may  be  on  their  way 
to  the  turkey. 

The  offering  at  this  service  should  be  used  for  charitable 
purposes.  If  the  Chapter  is  providing  Thanksgiving  din- 
ners for  those  who  have  special  need,  the  money  may  prop- 
erly be  used  for  that.  Otherwise,  the  Mercy  and  Help  De- 
partment will  know  what  to  do  with  it. 

What  Have  I  Learned  This  Year?  A  Watch-Night 
Service. 

It  will  be  small  gain  to  look  backward  if  we  can  not 
at  the  same  time  face  the  future.  This  meeting  comes  on 
the  last  day  of  the  year.  What  could  be  more  fitting  than 
that  it  should  be  a  watch-night  service? 

There  will  be  the  usual  evening  preaching  service,  of 
course.  But  why  should  not  the  pastor  and  the  League 
Chapter  join  forces?  Plan  an  evening's  services  that  shall 
begin  at  nine  o'clock,  when  the  pastor  will  preach  such  a 
sermon  as  the  occasion  itself  will  help  him  to  prepare.  Of 
course,  it  will  present  Jesus  Christ  the  Savior.  Then,  at 
ten  o'clock  let  the  congregation  break  up  into  little  groups, 
with  the  distinct  understanding  that  for  one  hour  there 
shall  be  conversation  on  the  things  of  God  and  on  no  other 
theme. 

"We  never  have  done  such  a  thing !"  And  that  is  pre- 
cisely the  reason  it  should  be  done  now.  Our  opportunities 
for  spiritual  conversation  are  not  many,  and  what  do  come 
to  us  are  often  unused.  Make  it  easy,  for  once,  to  talk 
religion.  No  argument,  of  course,  but  earnest,  frank,  un- 
constrained conversation.  If  there  are  unsaved  people 
present,  what  better  time  could  be  found  for  direct  appeal 
to  the  individual  soul?  We  talk  a  lot  about  personal  evan- 
gelism, and  here  is  a  chance  to  make  it  gloriously  effective. 

373 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

At  eleven  o'clock  begin  the  League  devotional  meeting. 
The  combined  spiritual  influences  of  the  evening  will  con- 
spire to  make  everybody  unusually  tender,  receptive,  open 
to  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Sing  nothing  for  the  sake 
of  singing — let  every  hymn  be  a  necessary  part  of  the  hour. 
Be  as  little  mechanical  and  formal  as  possible. 

Let  the  leader's  address,  the  brief  talks  of  those  whom 
lie  has  previously  asked  to  take  part,  and  the  testimonies 
all  lead  up  to  the  climax  of  the  meeting — the  last  ten  min- 
utes. Of  course,  that  will  be  a  dedication  service;  a  time 
of  prayerful  confession,  contrition,  surrender,  hope,  and 
love;  and  it  will  be  all  the  holier  and  more  blessed  if  in 
those  moments  you  hear  the  first  outpouring  of  praise  from 
a  new-born  soul  whom  you  have  shown  the  way  into  the 
Kingdom. 

At  the  midnight  hour,  be  still.  The  passing  of  the  year 
is  not  in  itself  an  event,  but  the  coming  of  every  soul  into 
a  personal  and  vital  sense  of  the  presence  of  God  is  too 
momentous  to  suffer  any  interruption  whatever. 

After  such  a  meeting  there  will  be  such  a  going  home, 
in  the  calm  of  the  new  year's  first  moments,  as  will  abide 
in  the  memory  forever. 


374 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CEREMONIAL  OCCASIONS. 

It  is  entirely  Methodistic  to  make  much  of  occasions.  John 
Wesley  advised  it,  and  took  his  own  choice.  We  are  wise 
when  we  take  it  also. 

Installation  and  reception  services,  when  carefully  and 
understanding!  v  conducted,  are  always  profitable.  They 
impress  everybody  with  the  seriousness  and  dignity  of  the 
work.  They  put  the  stamp  of  value  upon  the  Epworth 
League's  business.  Membership  and  official  responsibility 
in  the  League  are  things  of  privilege  and  honor,  and  ought 
to  be  so  regarded. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  the  same  form  be  always  fol- 
lowed. Often  a  new  form  may  be  improvised,  or  additions 
may  be  provided  to  suit  special  conditions. 

In  the  installation  service  the  exercises  may  be  enriched 
by  brief  addresses  from  leaders  in  other  departments  of 
the  Church  work,  such  as  class  leaders,  stewards,  trustees, 
Sunday  school  superintendents,  workers  in  various  ladies' 
societies,  etc. 

At  another  time  the  President-elect  may  speak,  followed 
by  the  Vice-Presidents  in  turn,  each  one  emphasizing  the 
scope  of  the  work  committed  to  his  department. 

Sometimes  symbols  of  the  departments  may  be  used 
effectively:  a  gavel  for  the  President,  a  Bible  for  the  Firsf 
Department,  a  torch  for  the  Second,  a  Red  Cross  flag  for 
the  Third,  a  copy  of  The  Epworth  Herald  and  a  wreath 
for  the  Fourth,  a  pen  for  the  Secretary,  and  a  purse  for 
the  Treasurer. 

Reception  of  New  Members. 
President. — You  have  been  duly  elected  to  membership 
in  our  Chapter  of  the  Epworth  League.     In  welcoming  you 

375 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

to  its  fellowship,  we  wish  to  state  its  object  and  aims,  and 
to  hear  your  pledge  of  loyalty  to  its  spirit. 

What  is  the  object  of  the  Epworth  League? 

Response. — The  object  of  the  Epworth  League  is  to 
promote  intelligent  and  vital  piety  in  the  younger  members 
and  friends  of  the  Church,  to  aid  them  in  the  attainment  of 
purity  of  heart  and  in  constant  growth  in  grace,  and  to 
train  them  in  works  of  mercy  and  help. 

P. — Will  you  strive  to  realize  this  object? 

R.— I  will. 

P. — Into  how  large  a  fellowship  do  you  desire  to  enter? 

R. — I  desire  a  league  offensive  and  defensive  with  every 
soldier  of  Christ. 

P. — What  is  your  duty  to  the  Church? 

R. — We  live  to  make  our  Church  a  power  in  the  land, 
while  we  live  to  love  every  other  Church  that  exalts  our 
Christ. 

P. — Our  motto  is  "Look  up,  lift  up."  Will  you  make 
this  your  motto? 

R.— I  will. 

P.  (Addressing  candidates  for  active  membership)  — 
We  understand  that  you  desire  to  become  an  active  member 
of  our  Chapter. 

R—  I  do. 

P. — Will  you  earnestly  seek  for  yourself,  and  do  what 
you  can  to  help  others  attain,  the  highest  New  Testament 
standard   of  experience   and  life? 

R.— I  will. 

P.— Will  you  abstain  from  all  those  forms  of  worldly 
amusement  which  can  not  be  taken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus? 

R.— I  will. 

P. — Will  you  attend,  as  far  as  possible,  the  religious 
meetings  of  the  Chapter  and  Church,  and  take  some  active 
part  in  the  same? 

R.— I  will. 

P.  (Addressing  candidates  for  associate  membership)  — 
We  understand  that  you  desire  to  become  an  associate  mem- 
ber of  our  Chapter. 

R.— I  do. 

376 


CEREMONIAL  OCCASIONS. 

P. — Do  }rou  promise  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the 
League  and  Church,  to  serve  on  committees  when  appointed, 
and  to  more  carefully  investigate  your  duty  to  God? 

R.— I  do. 

P. — In  the  name  of  our  Chapter  and  of  the  Epworth 
League  I  extend  to  you  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and 
welcome  you  to  membership  in  this  great  body  of  Methodist 
young  people.      (I   take   pleasure  in   assigning  you   to   the 

Department  of ),  and  I  trust  our  fellowship  may 

be  mutually   profitable  to  ourselves   and   a   blessing  to  the 
Church. 

Graduation   of  Juniors. 

(They  assemble  in  front  and  are  presented  by  the 
Junior  League   Superintendent.) 

Pastor. — You  have  now  reached  an  age  entitling  you 
to  membership  in  the  Epworth  League.  Before  transfer- 
ring your  membership  thereto,  we  wish  to  question  you 
upon  the  work  you  have  done  in  the  Junior  League. 

Have  you  read  the  four  Gospels  and  Acts  and  Epistles, 
and  answered-  the  questions  thereon  ? 

Response. — We  have. 

P. — Have  you  finished  the  course  of  study  prescribed 
for  the  Junior  League,  and  received  certificate  and  seals 
for  the  same? 

R. — We  have. 

P.- — Will  you  repeat  the  Apostles'  Creed? 

R. — (Juniors  repeat  the  Apostles'  Creed.) 

P. — Repeat  the  Ten  Doctrines  of  Grace  as  held  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

R. —  (Juniors  repeat  Ten  Doctrines.) 

P. — The  President  of  the  Epworth  League  will  now 
question  your  knowledge  of  the  purpose  and  pledge  of  the 
Epworth  League. 

From  this  point  use  the  form  for  the  reception  of  new 
members. 

Installation  of  Chapter  Officers. 

(Officers  present  themselves  before  the  pastor  in  order.) 

Pastor. — These  persons  have  been  elected  or  properly 
appointed  as  officers,  and  the  President-elect  has  been  ap- 
proved by  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

377 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

(To  the  President-elect.)  You  have  been  elected  to  the 
chief  office  of  the  League.  It  will  be  your  duty  to  conduct 
the  affairs  of  the  League ;  to  interest  yourself  in  all  the 
details  of  its  organization  and  work;  to  counsel  with  all 
departments,  and  to  be  a  pattern  for  their  inspiration;  to 
preside  in  the  Cabinet  and  business  meetings;  and  to  repre- 
sent the  Epworth  League  in  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

(To  the  First  Vice-President.)  You  have  been  elected 
to  the  office  of  First  Vice-President.  You  thus  become 
superintendent  of  the  spiritual  work.  Your  duty  will  re- 
quire you  to  arrange  for  the  regular  devotional  meeting  of 
the  Chapter  and  to  look  after  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
members,  inviting  those  who  are  interested  to  join  the 
classes  of  the  Church.  To  you  will  be  committed  the  work, 
if  possible,  of  organizing  and  training  a  personal  workers' 
class,  and  a  class  for  the  study  of  Christian  experience. 
It  is  also  your  duty,  at  least  once  each  year,  to  present 
the  subject  of  the  Morning  Watch  Enrollment;  to  interest 
the  young  people  in  systematic  daily  study  of  the  Bible ; 
to  appoint  a  committee  on  Bible  study ;  to  instruct  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Chapter  in  the  doctrines,  polity,  history,  and 
present  activities  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
the  other  denominations  of  the  Church  universal ;  to  plan 
special  revival  meetings,  and  neighborhood  outdoor  and 
cottage  services,  and  other  meetings  of  like  purpose ;  to 
conduct  prayer-meetings  for  children  where  there  is  no 
Chapter  of  the  Junior  League;  to  supervise  all  the  evan- 
gelistic and  devotional  activities  of  the  Chapter ;  and,  where 
the  work  of  the  League  is  so  divided  that  the  work  of  the 
different  departments  is  interwoven,  to  arrange  for  the  de- 
votional services  in  sociables,  lectures,  and  all  meetings  of 
similar  character;  to  help  the  Superintendent  in  building 
up  the  Sunday  school ;  and  to  foster  the  interests  of  the 
Junior  League. 

(To  the  Second  Vice-President.)  Unto  you  is  given 
the  work  of  the  Department  of  World  Evangelism.  You 
are  to  endeavor  to  interest  our  young  people  in  the  mis- 
sionary and  other  benevolent  interests  of  the  Church ;  to 
enlist  the  members  in  the  systematic  study  of  Christian 
missions;  to  circulate  missionary  literature;  to  arrange  for 

378 


CEREMONIAL  OCCASIONS. 

monthly  missionary  meetings  of  the  Chapter;  to  circulate 
•i  Cycle  of  Prayer  for  world  evangelism;  to  present  the 
claims  of  Christian  Stewardship;  to  interest  the  members 
in  the  systematic  study  of  Christian  Stewardship;  and  t ■> 
seek  to  enroll  the  members  in  the  Christian  Stewardship 
Enrollment.  You  shall  continually  keep  before  our  young 
people  the  aim  of  this  department  as  embodied  in  its  motto, 
"The  world  for  Christ  in  this  generation." 

(To  the  Third  Vice-President.)  You  have  been  elected 
to  the  Department  of  Social  Service.  It  will  be  your  duty 
to  arrange  for  the  systematic  visitation  of  the  members  of 
the  Chapter,  the  sick  of  the  neighborhood,  the  aged,  and 
the  newcomers  to  the  community.  You  shall  interest  the 
Chapter  in  the  charities  of  the  place,  and  plan  to  give  aid 
when  needed.  It  will  be  your  duty  also  to  promote  a  cam- 
paign of  temperance  reform  and  signing  of  the  pledge,  the 
circulation  of  temperance  literature,  and,  if  possible,  a  tem- 
perance study  class ;  to  have  charge  of  the  social  purity 
work,  tract  distribution,  and  kindred  activities.  All  kinds 
of  charitable  work,  when  undertaken  by  the  Chapter — such 
as  visiting  hospitals,  nursing,  distributing  flowers,  starting 
industrial  schools,  conducting  employment  bureaus,  coffee- 
houses, day  nurseries — will  be  under  your  care. 

(To  the  Fourth  Vice-President.)  You  are  assigned  to 
the  Department  of  Recreation  and  Culture.  It  shall  be 
your  aim  to  give  stimulus  and  direction  to  general  Christian 
culture,  and  to  do  what  you  can  to  quicken  the  intellectual 
and  social  life  of  the  members  of  the  Chapter  and  of  our 
community.  It  shall  be  part  of  your  duty  to  open,  if  prac- 
tical, libraries,  reading-rooms,  art-rooms,  night  schools,  and 
the  like ;  to  arrange  for  lectures  and  literary  gatherings ;  to 
extend  the  circulation  of  The  Epworth  Herald  and  the 
other  publications  of  the  Church ;  to  be  on  the  outlook  for 
new  members,  and  be  ready  to  receive  them  and  introduce 
them  at  all  the  meetings  of  the  Chapter ;  to  have  charge 
of  all  music  of  the  Chapter  except  that  of  the  devotional 
meetings;  to  provide  flowers  for  the  pulpit,  and  ushers  when 
needed.  Athletic  events,  indoors  and  out-of-doors,  and  all 
such  recreations  as  picnics,  excursions,  and  other  outings 
shall  be  under  your  care. 

379 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

(To  the  Secretary.)  As  Secretary,  your  duty  will  be 
to  keep  the  records  of  the  meetings  and  of  the  membership, 
and  of  all  courses  of  reading  and  study  pursued  by  the 
Chapter.  It  is  desirable  that  you  send  reports  of  its 
meetings  to  local  papers;  also  that  you  keep  copies  of 
all  programs,  newspapers  and  other  notices  of  Chapter 
affairs,  and  all  memorabilia  relating  to  its  doings.  You 
may  carry  on  correspondence  with  absent  members  and 
other  Chapters,  and  read  the  replies  at  the  meetings  of 
the  Chapter,  as  the  Chapter  may  order.  You  are  to  con- 
duct all  correspondence  with  the  Central  and  District  Of- 
fices, and  be  the  custodian  of  all  the  records  of  the  Chapter. 
Through  you  members  in  good  standing  shall  be  recom- 
mended to  other  Chapters.  You  will  keep  the  District  and 
General  League  Officers  informed  as  to  the  status  of  the 
work  in  the  local  Chapter. 

(To  the  Treasurer.)  Into  your  keeping  are  committed 
the  financial  interests  of  the  Chapter.  You  are  to  present 
to  the  Chapter  plans  for  meeting  the  financial  needs  of  the 
Chapter.  You  will  collect  all  dues  and  receive  all  moneys, 
disbursing  the  same  as  the  Chapter  may  direct;  take  the 
special  collections;  and  perform  such  other  financial  duties 
as  may  be  imposed  upon  you.  It  is  also  your  duty  to  for- 
ward to  the  Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  Epworth  League 
in  Chicago,  111.,  during  the  month  of  April,  each  year, 
such  an  amount  as  the  Board  of  Control  shall  request  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  the  general  organization. 

(To  the  Junior  Superintendent.)  It  is  your  task,  and 
a  blessed  one,  to  gather  the  boys  and  girls  into  the  Junior 
League,  and  to  secure  their  conversion  to  God  and  their 
training  in  the  essentials  of  Christian  faith  and  conduct. 
You  are  to  teach  with  carefulness,  to  guide  with  watchful- 
ness, to  control  with  love,  and  to  educate  in  the  Spirit  of 
Christ  the  children  committed  to  your  care.  You  will  use 
the  courses  of  study  wisely,  and  prepare  your  members  for 
transfer  in  due  time  into  the  senior  organization,  where  they 
may  continue  the  upright  and  useful  lives  begun  under 
your  influence. 

Fellow-members:  You  have  heard  in  outline  a  state- 
ment of  the  work  upon  which  you  are  now  to  enter.     Will 

380 


CEREMONIAL  OCCASIONS. 

you   discharge  the   duties   committed   to   your   care   as   you 
have  opportunity  and  to  the  best  of  your  ability? 

Officers. — I  will. 

Pastor. — "I  will  lift  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills,  from 
whence  cometh  my  help." 

Officers. — "My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord,  which  made 
heaven  and  earth." 

P. — "Say  not  ye,  There  are  yet  four  months,  and  then 
cometh  the  harvest?  Behold,  I  say  unto  you,  lift  up  your 
eyes  and  look  on  the  fields ;  for  they  are  white  already  to 
the  harvest." 

O. — "We  count  not  our  lives  dear  unto  ourselves,  so  that 
we  may  finish  our  course  with  joy  and  the  ministry  which 
we  have  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  testify  the  Gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God." 

P. — "If  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,  that 
giveth  to  all  men  liberally  and  upbraideth  not,  and  it  shall 
be  given  him." 

O. — "Thou  wilt  show  me'  the  path  of  life;  in  Thy  pres- 
ence is  fullness  of  joy ;  at  thy  right  hand  there  are  pleasures 
for  evermore." 

P. — "Delight  thyself  also  in  the  Lord,  and  He  will  give 
thee  the  desires  of  thy  heart." 

Pastor's  address :  Having  been  elected  or  appointed  to 
fill  these  responsible  positions  for  the  ensuing  six  months 
(or  "year,"  as  the  case  may  be),  much  of  the  success  and 
strength  of  the  work  will  depend  upon  you.  You  will  need 
to  plan  for  it,  to  work  for  it.  You  will  need  to  inspire  and 
assist  all  the  other  members,  personally  to  entreat  them, 
and  to  draw  them  into  closer  fellowship. 

There  are  souls  among  you  to  be  converted ;  there  are 
erring  ones  to  be  uplifted ;  there  are  suffering  ones  to  be 
relieved.  You  will  need  discretion,  constant  watchfulness 
for  opportunities,  and  the  continual  presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

There  is  no  activity  in  the  Church,  no  movement  of  re- 
form, in  which  you  may  not  rightfully  engage  for  the  up- 
building of  Christlike  characters.  "Therefore,  My  brethren, 
be  ye  steadfast,  immovable,  always  abounding  in  the  work 

.381 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

of  the  Lord;  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labor  is  not 
in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

Consecration  prayer. 

Response  by  new  President. 

The  Epworth  League  Benediction:  Leader. — The  Lord 
bless  thee  and  keep  thee. 

Response. — The  Lord  make  His  face  to  shine  upon  thee 
and  be  gracious  unto  thee. 

All. — The  Lord  lift  up  His  countenance  upon  thee  and 
give  thee  peace. 

Installation  of  District  Officers. 

The  District  Superintendents'  Convention  should  not 
adjourn  until  the  new  officers  are  publicly  installed.  In  all 
but  special  cases  the  District  Superintendent  should  be  in- 
vited to  conduct  the  installation  service. 

Officers  to  be  installed  present  themselves  at  the  altar. 

Singing. 

Responsive  service : 

Retiring  President. — "I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the 
hills,  from  whence  cometh  my  help." 

Officers. — "My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord,  which  made 
heaven  and  earth." 

R.  P. — "They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy." 

O. — "He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious 
seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his 
sheaves  with  him." 

R.  P. — "The  fruit  of  the  righteous  is  a  tree  of  life;  and 
he  that  winneth  souls  is  wise." 

O. — "And  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  bright- 
ness of  the  firmament ;  and  they  that  turn  many  to  right- 
eousness as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 

R.   P. — "For  we   are  laborers  together  with   God." 

O. — "Till  we  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto 
the  measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fullness  of  Christ." 

District  Superintendent  (to  the  District  President.)  — 
We  rely  upon  you  to  superintend  the  work  of  the  young 
people  upon  this  district.  Visit  the  Chapters,  organize  new 
Chapters,  encourage  all  by  letters,  inspire  the  young  people 

382 


CEREMONIAL  OCCASIONS. 

by  your  example,  secure  the  observance  of  the  Epwortli 
League  Anniversary,  the  promotion  of  Juniors,  increased 
loyalty  to  the  Church,  and  co-operation  with  the  pastors 
on  the  part  of  the  Epworth  League  members. 

(To  the  First  Vice  President.) — Realize  fully  the  spir- 
itual aims  of  the  Epworth  League,  assist  the  President  in 
visiting  the  Chapters,  encourage  personal  evangelism,  pro- 
mote Bible  study  and  the  study  of  Christian  experience, 
form  companies  of  Comrades  of  the  Morning  Watch,  and 
set  forth  by  precept  and  example  the  highest  New  Testa- 
ment standard  of  experience  and  life. 

(To  the  Second  Vice-President.) — Your  task  is  to  ener- 
gize and  direct  the  work  of  world  evangelism.  You  will 
encourage  and  promote  mission  study  and  the  study  of  the 
Church's  manifold  benevolent  work,  recommend  and  illus- 
trate the  blessedness  of  Christian  Stewardship,  and  in  all 
ways  magnify  the  world-wide  mission  of  every  disciple  of 
Jesus   Christ. 

(To  the  Third  Vice-President.) — To  encourage  and 
systematize  the  varied  work  of  Social  Service  among  the 
Chapters  of  the  district  is  the  task  of  your  department. 
The  work  of  every  agency  that  seeks  to  serve  individuals 
and  the  community,  and  to  protect  them  from  harm,  the 
ministry  of  our  Methodist  hospitals  and  homes,  and  of 
the  deaconesses,  should  receive  your  heartiest  assistance, 
and  you  should  promote  sustained  interest  in  and  active 
support  of  the  temperance  crusade  by  every  Chapter  on  the 
district. 

(To  the  Fourth  Vice-President.) — To  you  is  committed 
the  task  of  directing  the  cultural  interests  of  the  Chapters 
and  their  members,  and  the  circulation  of  The  Epworth 
Herald.  There  are  diversions,  both  intellectual  and  social, 
which  may  be  used  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Direct 
the  attention  of  our  young  people  to  them.  Warn  them 
of  the  paths  of  folly,  reprove  gently,  cultivate  the  widest 
social  intercourse  and  sympathy,  and  multiply  occasions  of 
genuine  recreation. 

(To  the  Secretary.) — Keep  the  records  of  the  District 
Cabinet  and  of  the  conventions  accurately,  and  see  that  they 
are  faithfully  preserved  and  promptly  turned  over  to  your 

383 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

successor.  Co-operate  with  the  President  in  his  corre- 
spondence, send  out  all  notices  promptly,  secure  a  report 
from  every  Chapter  Secretary,  and  carefully  transmit  the 
roster  of  officers  to  the  Central  Office  of  the  Epworth 
League. 

(To  the  Treasurer.) — Look  carefully  after  the  expenses 
of  the  District  Convention,  and  insist  that  each  Chapter 
shall  contribute  on  Anniversary  Day  at  least  one  dollar 
to  the  expenses  of  the  general  organization. 

(To  the  Junior  Superintendent.) — To  you  is  committed 
a  task  which  angels  might  envy,  to  interest  every  Methodist 
Church  and  home  in  the  conversion  of  the  boys  and  girls, 
and  secure  their  membership  in  the  Church,  that  every 
Junior  on  this  district  may  be  persuaded  to  read  the  Bible, 
complete  the  work  required  for  promotion  to  the  Epworth 
League,  and  become  grafted  into  the  Great  Vine. 

You  have  heard  this  brief  enumeration  of  your  duties. 
Will  you   faithfully   perform  them? 

O. — We  will  endeavor  to  do  so,  in  the  fear  of  God. 


384 


CHAPTER  XIV 

THE  EPWORTH  LEAGUE  PLEDGE. 

Those  who  object  to  the  pledge  idea  and  plead  for  liberty 
do  not  realize  that  the  pledge  has  positive  moral  value. 

The  dependence  on  the  pledged  word,  on  covenants,  is 
well-nigh  universal.  It  is  insisted  upon  when  a  man  changes 
citizenships,  or  speaks  in  a  case  at  law,  or  borrows  money, 
or  sells  a  farm,  or  enters  upon  public  office,  or  gets  his  life 
insured,  or  joins  a  lodge,  or  imports  dry  goods,  or  is  hired 
to  teach  school,  or  gets  married.  The  world  is  moved  by 
the  two  words  which  are  implied  in  the  League  pledge, 
"I  promise." 

It  is  a  recognition  of  the  priceless  gift  of  human  free- 
dom. No  machine  or  beast  of  the  field  or  star  of  the  sky 
can  say,  "I  will."  Man  can.  He  can  map  out  a  course 
and  then,  by  opening  his  life  to  the  right  influences,  and 
by  his  own  powers,  he  can  follow  that  course  to  the  end. 
Let  metaphysicians  worry  "the  freedom  of  the  will"  as 
Towser  worries  a  bone.  We  come  out  of  every  argument 
on  the  subject  with  the  same  emphatic  conviction,  "Never- 
theless,  I   am   free." 

There  is  the  secret  of  the  pledge's  value.  It  is  a  free 
person  marking  out  a  course.  The  purpose  to  follow  that 
pledge  commits  the  maker.  He  has  cut  loose.  He  is  a 
conqueror  who  has  crossed  the  Rubicon.  He  is  a  discoverer 
who  has  burned  his  ships  behind  him.  He  can  undo  it  all — 
but  it  is  less  likely  that  he  will  fail  than  if  he  relied  merely 
on  getting  over  some  kind  of  a  course  some  time. 

That  does  not  fully  state  the  case,  either.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  a  pledge  like  that  of  the  Ep worth  League  is  always 
taken  after  the  real  promise  has  been  given. 

You  can  not  honestly  sign  a  pledge-card  unless  you 
have  already  taken  the  pledge  in  heart  and  mind.  And 
why  should  a  Christian  hesitate  to  commit  himself  to  this 
25  385 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

form   of    words?      He   has    already   committed    himself   to 
everything  it  stands  for,  or  he  is  not  a  Christian. 

The  Pledge. 

/  will  earnestly  seek  for  myself,  and  do  what  I  can 
to  help  others  attain,  the  highest  New  Testament 
standard  of  experience  and  life.  I  will  abstain  from 
all  those  forms  of  worldly  amusement  which  can  not  be 
taken  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  I  zoill  attend, 
so  far  as  possible,  the  religious  meetings  of  the  Chapter 
and   the   Church,  and  take  some  active  part  in   them. 

The  Pledge  Analyzed:    Clause  One. 

The  first  clause  of  the  pledge  is  the  life  of  it.  It  is  no 
mere  every-day  contract.  It  is  the  announcement  of  a  life 
purpose,  a  real  "quest  of  the  Holy  Grail." 

In  the  legend  the  knight  sought  the  cup  of  the  Last  Sup- 
per. He  who  takes  this  pledge  to  seek  the  New  Testament 
standard  of  experience  and  life  is  seeking  a  holier  thing 
than  the  cup.  He  is  seeking  to  drink  of  the  cup  of  the 
Lord,  it  is  true,  but  not  in  any  outward  seeming.  When 
our  Lord  was  besought  to  give  great  place  to  two  ambitious 
disciples,  He  asked  of  them,  "Are  ye  able  to  drink  of  My 
cup?"  They  knew  not  what  they  asked  or  promised.  To- 
day's disciple  who  takes  this  pledge  must  know.  He  is 
seeking  fellowship  with  Jesus  Christ,  the  inner  sacrament, 
instead  of  the  vessel  which  held  the  wine. 

The  pledge  is  fully  worded,  so  that  there  shall  be  no 
mistake.  But  it  can  be  reduced  to  lower  terms.  "I  will 
seek  the  New  Testament  standard" — there  is  but  one  stand- 
ard in  that  Book,  but  we  must  understand  it  for  what  it  is, 
a  very  high  standard. 

Let  us  paraphrase  this  part  of  the  pledge.  It  can  be 
re-stated  in  various  forms.  "I  will  seek  Jesus  Christ." 
None  can  live  in  the  New  Testament  atmosphere  without 
the  New  Testament  life  in  him.  And  the  life  of  the  new 
covenant  is  given  by  the  Christ,  who  sealed  that  covenant 
with  His  blood.  So  no  one  who  is  unwilling  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian can  take  this  pledge. 

386 


THE  EPWORTH  LEAGUE  PLEDGE. 

"I  will  seek  the  Kingdom  of  heaven."  The  pledge  does 
a  great  service  in  locating  the  Kingdom  of  heaven  here  on 
the  earth.  There  is  no  room  for  doubt  as  to  the  present- 
day  bearing  of  the  pledge.  It  is  of  the  hour  that  is  passing. 
But  he  who  is  keeping  the  pledge  is  really  seeking  to  bring 
to  pass  the  coming  of  the  Kingdom.  The  first  sentence  of 
the  pledge  recognizes  this,  and  links  salvation  and  service 
in  an  appropriate  intimacy. 

"I  will  seek  power."  There  is  no  going  to  this  warfare 
of  pledge-keeping  at  one's  own  charges.  The  task  is  to;) 
hard,  and  the  way  is  too  long.  If  you  are  in  search  of  the 
New  Testament  life  you  will  need  New  Testament  power 
to  help  you  live  it.     "Ye  shall  receive  power." 

What  is  the  New  Testament  standard?  In  the  terms 
of  the  Master's  own  definition  it  is  twofold.  "Ye  must  be 
born  again,"  and  "A  new  commandment  .  .  .  that  ye  love 
one  another,  as  I  have  loved  you."  In  the  terms  of  the 
apostle  to  the  Gentiles  it  is  also  twofold.  "Be  not  con- 
formed to  this  world,  but  be  ye  transformed,"  and  "Use 
not  liberty  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh,  but  by  love  serve 
one  another." 

So  it  is  linked  in  the  pledge.  "I  will  seek  for  myself, 
and  do  what  I  can  to  help  others  attain."  Is  it  not  won- 
derful how  these  two  thoughts  find  each  other  and  travel 
together?  It  is  Christianity  in  a  phrase — life  and  service. 
The  two  can  not  be  divorced. 

And  in  the  Epworth  League  there  is  no  effort  to  separate 
them.  Rather  do  we  put  emphasis  on  personal  evangelism 
as  the  service  which  is  proof  and  outflowing  of  the  inner 
life. 

The  Christian  is  by  nature  an  evangelist.  By  the  term's 
of  his  own  conversion  he  becomes  a  preacher  of  salvation 
to  others.  He  tis  pledged  to  that  work  in  the  moment  of 
pardon  for  sin  and  the  imparting  of  the  new  life.  So  it  is 
no  new  obligation  he  is  assuming  when  he  promises  to  help 
others  attain  the  standard  of  life  which  he  seeks  for  him- 
self. 

Clause  Two. 
ne  rest  of  the  pledge  follows  as  a  matter  of  course. 
It  is  merely  an  expansion  of  the  first  clause  by  going  into 

387 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

details.     These  details  are  good  for  information  and  guid- 
ance, but  the  first  part  of  the  pledge  has  the  root  in  it. 

"I  will  abstain."  Surely  the  new  life  has  its  negative 
side.  There  are  some  things  a  Christian  will  not  do.  And 
what  better  test  than  this?  He  who  can  not  "do  all  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus"  is  not  yet  Christ's  freeman.  It  is 
a  surer  test  than  any  list  of  doubtful  amusements ;  it  in- 
cludes many  things  that  would  not  get  into  such  a  list,  and 
it  can  always  be  applied  with  the  assurance  that  if  honestly 
used  it  will  always  work.  It  will  sometimes  exclude  one's 
participation  in  things  which  of  themselves  are  innocent 
enough,  for  the  follower  of  Jesus  Christ  often  finds  it  neces- 
sary to  say  of  lawful  things :  "All  things  are  not  expedient. 
What  is  the  best  thing  to  do?"  The  answer  will  exclude 
many  a  good  thing  which  might  otherwise  have  been  in- 
cluded. 

Clause  Three. 

"I  will  attend."  This  is  a  somewhat  narrow  clause, 
relating  to  only  one  side  of  the  new  life — that  side  which 
touches  the  Chapter  and  the  Church.  So  far  as  it  goes,  it 
is  a  great  help.  It  insures  a  prosperous  devotional  meet- 
ing, and  an  inspiring  preacher.  For  these  things  are  much 
more  dependent  upon  interested  attendants  than  is  gen- 
erally supposed.  It  is  not  the  preacher  who  makes  the 
Church,  nor  the  leader  who  makes  the  meeting.  It  is  the 
people.  The  history  of  many  a  community  has  chapters 
which  illustrate  this  truth.  The  people  have  sustained  the 
Chapter  in  spite  of  poor  leaders,  and  have  made  the  ser- 
mons of  a  prosy  preacher  actually  inspiring  because  of  the 
inspiration  of  their  listening  and  their  prayer. 

The  Highest  Standard. 
There  are  those  who  think  that  the  word  "highest"  in 
the  Epworth  League  pledge  indicates  that  "high"  and 
"higher"  Scriptural  standards  exist,  which  are  a  little  lower 
than  the  "highest."  But  not  so.  There  is  in  the  New 
Testament  only  one  standard  of  living.  "Highest  stand- 
ard" and  "New  Testament  standard"  are  equivalent  terms. 
The  highest  standard  is  also  the  lowest.  Saint  Paul  said  in 
one  place,  "As  ye  have  therefore  received  Jesus  Christ  the 

3S8 


THE  EPWORTH  LEAGUE  PLEDGE. 

Lord,  so  walk  ye  in  Him."  That  is,  the  Christian  life 
should  never  get  below  its  beginning.  We  received  Christ 
Jesus  by  acceptance  of  His  pardon  and  by  complete  sur- 
render to  His  will.  Anything  less  than  that  complete  sur- 
render is  too  low  a  standard  for  the  Christian. 

Of  course,  there  will  be  new  knowledge  of  Christ  in 
the  daily  doing  of  His  will,  and  in  that  sense  our  standard 
will  rise  with  experience.  But  always  there  must  be  the 
"Thy  will  be  done"  of  the  prayer  that  teaches  to  pray. 
There  must  be  the  steadfast  purpose  of  loyalty  to  Christ, 
and  there  will  be  a  growing  eagerness  to  serve  and  obey 
Him.  So  the  highest  New  Testament  standard,  though 
always  the  same  in  requirement,  will  become  through  the 
years  a  greater  and  more  beautiful  ideal,  always  calling  us 
to  fuller  and  holier  life. 

What  is  the  Purpose  of  the  Pledge? 
We  narrow  it  when  we  think  of  it  solely  as  a  means 
to  personal  advancement  in  the  Christian  life.  At  the  very 
outset,  as  we  declare  our  purpose  to  seek  the  New  Testa- 
ment standard,  we  find  imbedded  in  the  sentence  the  social 
purpose  of  the  pledge,  the  purpose  to  help  others  in  the 
attainment  of  the  same  standard  of  experience  and  life 
which  we  seek  for  ourselves. 

There  lies  the  great  Christian  secret.  No  man  liveth  to 
himself.  He  that  would  save  his  soul  shall  lose  it.  No 
man  can  be  saved  while  he  seeks  nothing  beyond  his  own 
salvation.  We  are  members  one  of  another.  "When  a 
hand  gathers  food  it  does  so  for  the  whole  body,  itself  in- 
cluded, and  apart  from  the  general  nutrition  of  the  body 
there  could  be  no  nutriment  for  the  hand." 

So  the  purpose  of  the  pledge  is  to  bind  us  to  a  plan  of 
life  that  will  bring  us  closer  to  God,  and  closer  to  our  fel- 
lows; to  make  us  better  children  of  God  at  the  same  time 
as  we  become  better  kinsmen  of  our  brethren  in  all  the 
world. 

Who  Should  Take  the  Pledge? 

Our  pledge  is  not  obligatory.  Each  Chapter  may  deter- 
mine for  itself  whether  it  will   adopt  the  pledge.      Yet  it 

389 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

was  not  left  to  discretion  because  of  any  doubt  as  to  its 
wisdom  or  value,  but  because  its  framers  believed  in  local 
self-government.  One  can  be  a  Christian  without  taking 
the  pledge.  But  it  is  impossible  to  be  a  Christian  without, 
in  substance,  living  the  pledge.  Its  four  elements — life, 
service,  abstinence,  and  duty — are  part  of  the  equipment  of 
every  follower  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Do  You  Know  the  Pledge? 

We  venture  to  say  that  there  are  many  active  members 
of  the  Ep worth  League  who  have  taken  the  pledge  could 
not  repeat  it  from  memory.  Some  could  not  even  give 
an  intelligent  idea  of  what  it  embraces.  That  is  a  pity. 
One  of  the  first  things  which  a  Chapter  which  has  adopted 
the  pledge  should  insist  upon  is  that  every  active  member 
become  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  pledge. 

There  are  several  ways  of  aiding  new  members  to  mem- 
orize the  pledge: 

1.  It  should  be  printed  in  large  type  and  hung  up  con- 
spicuously in  the  room  in  which  the  Chapter  meets. 

2.  It  should  be  printed  on  the  topic  cards  and  other 
literature  of  the   First  Department. 

3.  It  should  be  repeated  in  concert  at  least  once  a 
month  in  connection  with  the  regular  devotional  meeting. 

4.  It  should  be  taken  up  by  the  Chapter,  paragraph  by 
paragraph,  and  fully  discussed.  A  series  of  "evenings  with 
the  pledge"  could  be  arranged.  One  evening  could  be  de- 
voted to  the  first  clause:  "I  will  earnestly  seek  for  myself, 
and  do  what  I  can  to  help  others  attain,  the  highest  New 
Testament  standard  of  experience  and  life."  Another  even- 
ing to  the  second  clause,  and  so  on. 

When  we  are  left  to  our  better  selves  it  is  natural  to  say 
"I  will"  to  God,  for  what  He  offers  is  manifestly  to  our 
advantage.  We  should  take  it  as  a  sign  that  there  is  some- 
thing wrong  with  us  when  God's  invitations  seem  to  call  us 
to  unattractive  lives.  He  who  can  find  nothing  winsome 
in  the  gospel  is  most  in  need  of  it. 

390 


THE  EPWORTH  LEAGUE  PLEDGE. 

Some   Pledge  Questions. 

Is  the  pledge  understood  ? 

Is  it  kept  when  we  are  careful  to  stay  just  inside  the 
letter  of  its  requirements  ? 

What  are  some  gains  of  pledge-making? 

What  are  some  dangers  which  grow  out  of  making  the 
pledge  ? 

How  does  injury  come  from  failure  to  keep  the  pledge? 

How  much  importance  should  he  placed  on  the  pledge? 

Who  should  interpret  the  pledge  for  me  ? 

Is  the  pledge  a  definite  vow,  or  the  setting  of  an  ideal, 
towards  which  we  may  work  by  degrees? 

How  is  it  possible  to  keep  the  letter  of  the  pledge  and 
violate  its   spirit? 

Why  is  doing  God's  will  the  highest  freedom? 

What  is  the  great  difference  between  a  servant  and  a 
friend? 

What  is  the  condition  of  becoming  a  friend  of  Jesus 
Christ? 

Reasons  for  the  Pledge. 

It  is  a  confession  of  duty. 

It  is  a  help  towards  faithfulness. 

It  builds  a  fence  around  dangerous  places. 

It  is  the  expression  of  our  truest  convictions. 

It  provides  another  bond  of  fellowship. 

It  is  a  practical  and  constant  reminder  of  our  obli- 
gations. 

Conducting  a  Pledge  Meeting. 

Post  the  pledge  in  a  conspicuous  place,  and  ask  the 
active  members  to  repeat  it  in  concert  at  some  appropriate 
moment  during  the  meeting. 

Use  the  blackboard  for  the  questions  given  elsewhere. 
Keep  the  blank  side  of  the  board  in  sight  until  you  are 
ready  to  call  for  testimonies.  Then  swing  the  questions 
around. 

Ask  half  a  dozen  people  to  explain  the  "Reasons  for  the 
pledge." 

Use   the   questions   and    other   helps    towards   testimony 

391 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

as  a  means  of  getting  the  more  backward  members  to  take 
part.      The   others   can   do   without   these   helps. 

Be  careful  to  encourage  real  testimony  that  shall  be 
personal  and  pointed.  This  is  no  subject  for  vague  and 
general  essays  on  abstract  themes.  Do  not  be  afraid  of 
tiie  first  personal  pronoun,  unless  it  runs  too  much  to  the 
stating  of  long-winded  views  and  opinions. 

Present  the  pledge.  If  you  have  already  adopted  it  as 
a  Chapter,  seek  to  win  the  associate  members.  They  ought 
not  to  remain  associates  a  moment  after  they  have  once  seen 
the  beauty  and  the  worth  of  making  full  surrender  to  God's 
love.  If  your  Chapter  has  not  adopted  it,  present  it  for 
adoption  by  individual  members,  and  perhaps  the  Chapter 
will  vote  to  adopt  it  as  a  result  of  this  meeting.  What 
better   practical  outcome   could   you   desire? 

Hymns  for  a  Pledge  Meeting. 
"Lord,  I  am  Thine,  entirely  Thine." 
"Prince  of  Peace,  control  my  will." 
"King  of  kings,  and  wilt  Thou  deign." 
"Walk  in  the  light,  so  shalt  thou  know." 
"O,  for  a  heart  to  praise  my  God." 
"Forever  here  my  rest  shall  be." 
"I  am  Thine,  O  Lord;  I  have  heard  Thy  voice." 
"My  life,  my  love,  I  give  to  Thee." 
"Faith  of  our  fathers,  living  still." 
"Take  my  life  and  let  it  be." 


392 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  AND 
INSTRUCTION. 

The  District  League. 
The  District  League  has  its  necessary  place  because  of 
the  essentially  Methodistic  character  of  the  Epworth 
League.  The  natural  grouping  of  any  sort  of  Methodist 
societies  is  the  same :  first,  the  pastoral  charge ;  second,  the 
district.  This  gives  the  same  "sub-bishop"  to  the  Epworth 
League  organization  that  the  Church  already  possesses.  It 
provides  the  connecting  link  between  the  local  Chapter  and 
the  general  organization.  There  are  Conference  Epworth 
Leagues  in  some  parts  of  the  Church,  and  a  number  of 
State  organizations  are  doing  excellent  work,  while  several 
of  the  General  Conference  Districts  are  organized  and 
active.  But  the  Conference,  State,  and  General  Confer- 
ence District  Epworth  Leagues  are  not,  strictly  speaking, 
essential  to  the  complete  articulation  of  the  League's  work. 
In  some  places  they  work  well ;  in  others  they  are  not 
advisable ;  in  still  others  they  are  entirely  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. But  the  District  Epworth  League  is  essential  wher- 
ever the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  in  operation. 

The  District  Cabinet  is  organized  with  the  same  list  of 
officers  as  complete  the  local  Cabinet,  and  each  district 
officer  has  supervision  over  the  corresponding  officers  in 
the  various  Chapters  throughout  the  district.  Each  district 
department  head  is  the  channel  through  which  the  informa- 
tion concerning  the  local  Chapter  finds  its  way  to  the  Dis- 
trict Cabinet  and  the  District  Convention.  In  many  dis- 
tricts the  District  Cabinet  makes  more  or  less  formal  tours 
over  the  district,  either  as  a  body  or  individually,  each 
member  going  in  the  interest  of  his  own  part  of  the  work. 

3«>3 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

The  District  Cabinet  has  large  importance  as  an  or- 
ganizing and  reorganizing  force.  It  should  see  to  it  that 
every  charge  on  the  district  has  an  Epworth  League  Chap- 
ter, unless  conditions  plainly  indicate  that  it  is  impossible. 
The  dead  Chapters  and  the  dying  must  be  revived.  The 
members  of  the  Cabinet  may  profitably  visit  each  charge 
where  such  a  Chapter  is  found,  in  a  body,  if  they  can  give 
sufficient  time  to  the  work,  co-operating  with  the  pastor  in 
looking  up  members  and  probable  leaders  to  take  charge. 

Then,  when  the  reorganizing  meeting  is  held,  it  will  be 
much  easier  to  secure  recruits  for  a  new  start  than  it  would 
be  if  none  but  the  faithful  ones  of  the  almost  lifeless  local 
Chapter  should  make  the  attempt.  The  Chapter  doubtless 
failed  because  it  did  nothing  to  justify  its  existence.  It 
can  not  be  revived  unless  something  is  given  it  to  do. 
Therefore,  start  something  when  the  Chapter  is  resusci- 
tated. Start  a  Bible  study  class  or  a  mission  study  class. 
Organize  a  class  in  Christian  experience,  or  a  fellow- 
workers'  band.  Present  the  Christian  Stewardship  enroll- 
ment. Enroll  the  members  as  Comrades  of  the  Morning 
Watch.  Perhaps  some  temperance  task  is  ready  for  vig- 
orous effort.  Set  people  to  work.  Get  something  going, 
and  enlist  the  interest  of  the  local  Epworthians  in  definite 
work  in  their  own  Chai^ter,  and,  if  possible,  in  things  out- 
side their  own  little  community  also.  Link  them  to  the 
great  Church  of  which  they  are  a  part. 

The  work  of  the  district  organization  continues  the  year 
through,  but  it  comes  to  its  highest  tide  of  visible  results 
in  the  annual  District  Convention.  Here  the  work  of  the 
Cabinet  bears  fruit  that  can  be  seen  and  tested  of  all  men. 
Here  the  officers  give  an  account  of  the  way  in  which  they 
have  discharged  the  trust  committed  to  them.  Here  old 
plans  are  reported  upon  and  new  plans  launched.  Here 
the  Cabinet  feels  the  pulse  of  the  district  and  discovers 
why  some  things  failed  last  year  and  what  work  is  most 
likely  to  succeed  next  year.  Here  the  Chapters  come  to- 
gether and  feel  the  esprit  tie  corps  which  makes  district 
work  easy  in  the  measure  that  it  spreads  among  the  Chap- 
ters and  the  members. 

894 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,   INSTRUCTION. 

The  Convention:  Master  or  Servant? 
Three  cheers  for  conventions,  and  three  for  committees, 
and  three — or,  anyway,  two — for  new  organizations  ! 

But  in  the  height  of  the  organizing,  delegate-choosing 
fever,  it  will  do  the  patient  no  harm  to  read  a  paragraph 
like  this : 

Every  idea  we  have  is  run  into  a  constitution.  We 
can  not  think  without  a  chairman.  Our  whims  have 
secretaries ;  our  fads  have  by-laws.  Literature  is  a 
club.  Philosophy  is  a  society.  Our  reforms  are  mass 
meetings.  Our  culture  is  a  summer  school.  We  can 
not  mourn  our  mighty  dead  without  Carnegie  Hall  and 
forty  vice-presidents.  We  remember  our  poets  with 
trustees,  and  the  immortality  of  a  genius  is  watched 
by  a  standing  committee.  Charity  is  an  association. 
Theology  is  a  set  of  resolutions.  Religion  is  an  en- 
deavor to  be  numerous  and  communicative.  We  awe 
the  impenitent  with  crowds,  convert  the  world  with 
boards,  and  save  the  lost  with  delegates.  What  Soc- 
rates and  Solomon  would  have  come  to  if  they  had  only 
had  the  advantage  of  conventions  would  be  hard  to 
say;  but  in  these  days,  when  the  excursion  train  is 
applied  to  wisdom;  when,  having  little  enough,  we  try 
to  make  it  more  by  pulling  it  about ;  when  secretaries 
urge  us,  treasurers  dun  us,  programs  unfold  out  of 
every  mail — where  is  the  man  who,  guileless-eyed,  can 
look  in  his  brother's  face;  can  declare  upon  his  honor 
that  he  has  never  been  a  delegate,  never  belonged  to 
anything,  never  been  nominated,  elected,  imposed  on, 
in  his  life? 
Mr.  Gerald  Stanley  Lee  does  not  mean  to  be  taken 
altogether  literally  in  this  outburst  of  a  pardonable  im- 
patience. But  he"  is  so  far  literal  that  we  may  as  well  give 
heed  to  him. 

The  mass  meeting  is  a  means  of  auto-suggestion  which 
makes  us  reckon  the  thing  discussed  as  the  thing  accom- 
plished. All  the  time  we  know  it  isn't;  all  the  time  we 
know  that  our  record  will  not  be  tested  by  what  we  did 
in  the  Committee  on  Resolutions. 

395 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

If  the  work  of  the  Epworth  League  is  done  with  eager 
desire  to  make  it  mean  something  right  on  the  spot,  often 
we  shall  be  coming  together  to  talk  about  it,  as  we  ought. 

But  if  coming  together  to  talk  about  it  is  beginning 
and  end  of  our  zeal,  we  need  not  wonder  when  the  con- 
vention and  the  mass  meeting  lose  their  charm  for  all  but 
the  officers  and  the  Executive  Committee. 

The    District    Convention. 

The  Conferences  of  Methodism  are  very  largely  the 
business  meetings  of  a  great  and  complex  institution.  They 
are  necessarily  cumbered  with  much  serving.  The  Epworth 
League,  with  its  minimum  of  machinery,  has  had  oppor- 
tunity to  provide  in  its  general  gatherings  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  spirit  of  fellowship,  for  the  emphasis  on  the 
connectional  idea,  and  for  the  conduct  of  exceedingly  profit- 
able "Conversations  on  the  work  of  God." 

The  District  President  must  cultivate  the  acquaintance 
of  all  the  pastors  and  League  workers  in  the  district. 
Every  week  he  will  have  occasion  to  draw  on  his  knowledge 
of  these  co-laborers.  His  correspondence  will  be  a  heavy 
item  in  his  work,  but  it  can  not  be  neglected  without  damage 
to  the  activities  of  the  district  and  of  the  several  Chapters. 
This  is  especially  true  in  connection  with  the  district  con- 
vention. The  District  President  is  commander-in-chief  of 
that  gathering.  If  he  would  marshal  his  forces  effectively 
he  must  know  them.  All  the  work  of  the  year  has  been 
enriching  his  stores  of  information  and  personal  knowledge 
concerning  the  young  people  of  the  district.  When  the 
time  to  arrange  for  the  convention  arrives,  this  equipment 
of  facts  and  the  President's  deductions  from  them  will  have 
much  to  do  with  the  successful  building  of  the  program. 

Neighboring  districts  find  it  profitable  to  arrange  for 
simultaneous,  or,  more  usually,  consecutive  conventions. 
Sometimes  all  tbe  districts  of  a  Conference  adopt  this  plan. 
It  makes  possible  the  securing  of  speakers  from  a  distance 
who  could  not  otherwise  come.  The  expense  is  small,  when 
shared  by  four  or  five  districts,  and  the  speakers  follow  a 
carefully    planned    schedule    which    allows    for    all    minor 

39G 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

emergencies  and  delays  in  getting  from  one  convention  to 

the  next. 

Building  the  Program.— The  District  Cabinet  is  usually 
the  Program  Committee  for  the  annual  convention.  A 
Cabinet  meeting  should  be  called  not  less  than  four  months 
previous  to  the  date  determined  on  for  the  convention.  The 
first  business  is  that  of  blocking  out  the  program's  out- 
standing features  and  deciding  upon  the  general  character 
of  the  gathering. 

To  this  meeting  a  representative  of  the  Chapter  which 
is  to  entertain  the  convention  should  be  invited,  for  many 
questions  will  arise  which  can  be  settled  only  by  some  one 
who  is  familiar  with  the  local  situation. 

The  great  purposes  of  a  district  convention  should  be 
kept  in  mind.  It  is  intended  to  secure  greater  effective- 
ness in  the  work  of  the  local  Chapters,  to  discover  and  train 
League  leaders,  to  push  vigorously  one  or  more  of  the  vari- 
ous League  enterprises  to  which  the  entire  organization  is 
committed,  to  emphasize  and  intensify  the  spirit  of  fellow- 
ship and  unity  among  the  Epworthians  of  the  district,  and 
to  bear  immediate  fruit  in  direct  evangelism  and  the  spir- 
itual uplift  both  of  the  delegates  and  of  the  members  at 
home  whom  they  represent. 

These  things  remembered,  go  over  all  the  available 
material,  in  themes  and  in  speakers.  Bear  in  mind  that 
even  the  longest  convention  must  have  a  time  limit,  and 
see  that  the  program  can  be  fully  presented  well  within  the 
time  allotted.  In  the  smaller  towns  and  villages  a  two- 
days'  convention  is  usually  provided  for,  while  in  the  larger 
places  the  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening  of  a  single  day 
are  all  that  can  be  given. 

Decide  on  a  "dominant  note."  Let  the  convention  stand 
for  some  one  specific  thing.  Of  course,  a  large  variety  of 
themes  will  be  provided,  but  give  one  of  them  such  im- 
portance and  prominence  that  it  will  stand  out  above  all 
the  others.  Next  year  the  emphasis  may  be  changed,  so 
that  in  a  series  of  conventions  a  variety  of  important  and 
timely  subjects  will  have  been  considered.  With  some  such 
arrangement  as  this  there  will  be  no  opportunity  for  people 
to  say,  when  urged  to  attend  the  convention,  "I  went  last 

397 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

year,  and  it  was  much  the  same  as  the  year  before,  and  the 
program  seems  to  be  about  the  same  again  this  year,  so  I 
do  n't  care  to  go." 

Put  this  "dominant  note"  into  a  sentence  or  a  phrase 
that  shall  stick  out  in  all  the  advertising  of  the  convention 
until  everybody  knows  it  by  heart  and  knows  what  it  sig- 
nifies, and  then  spread  it  across  the  convention  room  on  a 
banner  something  after  this  fashion :  "A  Bible  Study  Class 
in  Every  Chapter!"  "Mission  Study  and  Missionary  Zeal!" 
"A  Convention  for  Soul- Winning !"  "Help  that  Hospital!" 
"Better  Devotional  Meetings  Next  Year !"  "Shall  We 
Adopt  a  Missionary?"  "Let  Us  Double  Our  Numbers  and 
Quadruple  Our  Effectiveness!"  "The  Saloons  of  This  Dis- 
trict Must  Go!"  "Win  One  This  Year!"  "The  Union  of 
All  Who  Love  in  the  Service  of  All  Who  Suffer!"  "Cul- 
ture, Fellowship,  and  Evangelism  !"  Every  district  can  put 
its  aims  and  purposes  into  some  such  attention-compelling 
mottoes  as  these. 

In  stating  the  themes  that  are  to  be  discussed,  be  "dif- 
ferent." Avoid  sameness  of  plan  and  you  will  not  be 
troubled  by  its  offspring,  monotony  of  result.  Put  the  sub- 
jects into  question  form,  or  into  new  and  unexpected  phras- 
ings.  Make  the  very  topics  challenge  attention  and  arouse 
interest. 

Keep  away  from  the  general  themes  that  were  worn  out 
twenty  years  ago.  Do  not  talk  about  "The  Ideal  Epworth 
League,"  or  "The  Relation  of  the  Pastor  to  the  Epworth 
League,"  or  "The  Epworth  League  and  the  Church,"  or 
"The  Work  Before  Us,"  or  any  of  those  generalities  which 
may  have  been  excusable  in  the  first  years  of  the  League's 
experience,  but  which  long  ago  served  their  day  and  genera- 
tion. Your  themes  may  be  old,  but  j^our  treatment  of  them 
and  the  very  headings  under  which  they  are  discussed  may 
be  suggestive,  practical,  and  fresh. 

Make  the  program  too  short  rather  than  too  long.  Re- 
member that  delays  will  happen,  even  in  the  best  regulated 
conventions.  Do  not  provide  for  every  five  minutes,  or 
arrange  the  order  of  exercises  like  a  suburban  train  sched- 
ule. It  is  much  better  to  print  a  list  of  the  themes  to  be 
discussed  without  setting  down  precisely  the  hour  and  min- 

398 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

ute  when  they  will  be  presented.  Circumstances  almost 
always  compel  some  transpositions  of  the  original  order. 
If  there  is  no  hard-and-fast  printed  "bill-of-fare,"  an)' 
necessary  transposition  can  be  made  without  the  distraction 
and  embarrassment  of  a  public  explanation.  If  a  speaker 
is  tardy,  another  can  be  substituted,  and  there  is  neither 
waiting  nor  disappointment.  Of  course,  the  speakers  who 
are  to  deliver  the  principal  addresses  do  not  come  within 
the  scope  of  this  suggestion.  They  must  be  advertised  both 
as  to  hour  and  as  to  theme. 

Make  every  possible  use  of  the  district's  indigenous  re- 
sources. Enlist  the  workers  of  the  district  as  far  as  they 
are  available.  That,  in  most  cases,  will  give  a  large  list  of 
possible  participants  in  the  convention  program.  The  Cabi- 
net's acquaintance  with  leaders  in  the  Chapters  will  be  of 
great  value  at  this  point.  It  is  difficult  to  build  a  program 
in  the  dark.  Each  District  Vice-President  will  need  to  add 
his  knowledge  to  the  common  stock.  The  more  work  he 
has  done  with  his  local  Vice-Presidents,  the  more  valuable 
his  help  will  be. 

On  the  program,  as  well  as  in  the  convention,  the  laity 
should  be  more  in  evidence  than  the  preachers.  The  more 
preachers  take  part,  as  a  rule,  the  less  the  other  delegates 
will  feel  like  asserting  themselves.  They  have  not  a  preach- 
er's readiness  of  utterance,  or  range  of  observation,  or 
variety  of  experience.  But  for  precisely  these  reasons  the 
pastors  are  willing  to  give  the  laymen  right  of  way.  Help 
the  ministerial  desire  to  develop  lay  effectiveness  by  giving 
the  lay  members  of  the  League  the  large  share  of  the 
program. 

And  yet  every  convention  should  have  a  pastors'  con- 
ference as  a  part  of  its  program.  There  are  Epworth 
League  problems  which  concern  the  pastors  directly,  and 
which  they  ought  to  discuss  among  themselves.  Give  the 
pastors  a  conference  just  as  the  department  leaders  are 
assigned  an  hour  for  the  consideration  of  their  work. 

Of  course,  every  convention  program  should  give  large 
place  to  distinctly  spiritual  work.  The  devotional  moments 
must  not  be  considered  as  "preliminary  exercises."  If 
necessary,   avoid   this   by   giving  an   unusual   place   to   the 

399 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

service  of  prayer  and  praise.  Put  it  in  the  middle  of  the 
session,  or  at  the  end.  Insist  that  it  is  an  integral  part  of 
the  program. 

Provide  for  much  prayer;  prayer  by  one,  prayer  by 
many,  silent  prayer,  prayer  in  concert,  prayer  for  special 
ends. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  possible  to  plan  evangelistic  meet- 
ings in  the  open  air  between  sessions  of  the  convention, 
or  at  shops  and  factories  at  the  noon  hour.  No  such  oppor- 
tunity as  that  should  be  lost.  At  these  places,  and,  when 
occasion  serves,  in  the  convention  itself,  seek  to  secure 
immediate  decisions  for  Christ  and  for  salvation.  Nothing 
becomes  an  Ep worth  League  convention  so  much  as  timely 
and  wise  work  for  direct  evangelism. 

Incorporate  the  "Institute  Idea"  into  the  program. 
Give  the  mornings  and  afternoons  largely  to  the  work  of 
considering  the  real  problems  and  peculiar  tasks  of  the 
Chapters  in  the  district.  The  convention  that  is  a  normal 
school  for  the  training  of  local  workers  will  be  of  more 
value  than  the  one  which  imports  speakers  to  deliver  ser- 
mons or  general  addresses.  And  yet  there  should  be  one 
strong  inspirational  address  at  every  convention,  lest  the 
delegates  lose  sight  of  the  purpose  of  the  League  in  the 
multitude  of  its  plans.  Study  local  problems  frankly,  but 
not  censoriously.  Find  the  people  who  are  getting  things 
done,  and  put  them  on  the  program  to  lead  conferences  in 
their  respective  departments. 

If  reports  from  the  Chapters  are  provided  for,  see  to 
it  that  they  are  very,  very  brief.  In  a  district  of  forty 
pastoral  charges  there  may  be  fifty  local  Chapters.  If 
each  one  of  them  makes  a  one-minute  report,  an  hour  is 
consumed  in  this  one  exercise.  And  a  one-minute  report 
is  much  shorter  than  the  average. 

The  Question  Box  is  doubly  useful.  It  affords  variety, 
and  it  awakens  interest.  But  the  Question  Box  may  be- 
come a  dangerous  weapon  if  the  one  who  is  handling  it 
"did  n't  know  it  was  loaded."  Few  Epworthians  are  capa- 
ble of  conducting  a  Question  Box  hour  without  having 
previously  seen  the  questions.  That  is  a  risky  method 
unless  it  is  in  the  hands   of  an   expert.      When   questions 

400 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

are  handed  in  beforehand,  the  irrelevant  questions  and  the 
frivolous  ones  may  be  weeded  out,  which  is  a  necessary 
process  in  most  cases. 

A  variation  of  the  Question  Box  method  is  used  suc- 
cessfully in  several  district  and  State  organizations.  A 
numbered  list  of  twenty  or  twenty-five  perennially  pertinent 
questions  on  the  work  of  a  single  department  is  made  up 
and  distributed  just  before  the  open  conference  on  that 
department.  The  delegates  call  for  answers  by  number, 
and  the  leader  not  only  gives  his  own  answer  to  the  question. 
but  calls  for  volunteer  answers  from  the  audience.  It  is 
a  most  admirable  plan  for  putting  an  end  to  bashfulness 
and  formality,  and  it  is  even  better  as  a  method  of  getting 
at  all  the  available  knowledge  on  the  subject  under  dis- 
cussion. Program  builders  will  find  it  profitable  to  com- 
pile their  own  lists  of  such  questions.  As  a  suggestion  of 
what  may  be  done  in  this  way,  a  list  of  questions  on  the 
several  departments  is  here  given: 

GENERAL    QUESTIONS. 

If  one  can  not  be  present  at  both  League  and  Church 
services  on  Sunday  evening,  which  of  the  two  should  he 
attend?     Give  reason. 

Tell  us  some  way  of  bringing  the  members  out  to  busi- 
ness meeting. 

How  shall  the  graduates  from  the  Intermediate  League 
be  made  to  feel  at  home  in  the  Epworth  League  and  also 
be  encouraged  to  take  in  the  meetings  of  the  Chapter? 

How  can  we  acquaint  our  members  with  the  workings 
and  victories  of  the  general  League?     So  few  see  the  League* 
clearly  and  see  it  whole.     Can  you  suggest  any  plan  outside 
of  reading  The  Epworth  Herald?     That  is  the  wisest,  but 
all  will  not  subscribe. 

Some  members  of  the  League  have  retained  their  mem- 
bership through  a  number  of  years,  simply  because  there 
is  no  plan  for  graduating  them  from  the  young  people's 
society  into  the  other  departments  of  Church  life.  The 
"age  limit"  plan  is  often  unsatisfactory.  Is  there  any 
better  method  ? 

26  101 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

After  members  have  been  in  the  League  for  several 
years,  how  should  they  be  treated  in  order  to  keep  up  their 
interest  and  enthusiasm? 

Is  it  advisable  to  lay  so  much  stress  on  committee  work? 
Does  it  not  detract  from  the  responsibility  of  the  other 
members  ? 

Is  it  advisable  to  drop  the  names  of  those  members  who 
fail  to  answer  to  their  names  at  roll  call  for  a  certain  length 
of  time? 

How  can  you  get  young  men  to  take  an  active  interest 
in  the  work? 

How  can  a  Chapter  put  to  work  and  keep  at  work  new 
members,  some  young,  some  old  in  years,  but  all  jroung  in 
Christian  life?     Do  not  give  a  plan  you  have  not  tried. 

Is  it  wise  to  elect  officers  without  first  consulting  the 
persons  themselves  ?  Some  may  serve  if  elected,  who  would 
never  consent  to  their  election. 

How  can  the  Church  membership  be  brought  into  closer 
sympathy  with  League  work? 

When  members  refuse  absolutely  to  take  any  active  part 
in  the  work  of  the  League,  what  is  the  best  method  of  help- 
ing them  to  see  their  obligation  ? 

Is  there  any  way  to  get  a  good  attendance  in  a  country 
Chapter  ? 

Is  it  a  wise  plan,  generally  considered,  to  disband  a 
League  for  the  summer  months  ? 

In  a  Chapter  of  about  two  hundred  members,  how  can 
you  make  every  member  a  worker?  Is  it  a  good  plan  to 
put  every  one  on  one  of  the  departments?  If  so,  how  is 
the  plan  carried  out? 

Many  j^oung  people  who  have  been  brought  up  in  good 
homes,  and  have  been  active  in  Church  work,  come  to  our 
town  to  attend  school,  and  lose  all  interest  in  Church  work. 
How  can  we  reach  them? 

Is  it  the  aim  of  the  League  to  fit  its  members  for  other 
departments  of  Church  work  and  live  by  giving  itself  away 
to  these  societies? 

What  is  the  cure  for  a  society  that  is  more  intent  on 
increasing  its  membership  than  it  is  upon  doing  the  work 
it  was  organized  to  do? 

402 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

FIRST    DEPARTMENT    QUESTIONS. 

Should  there  be  a  large  Devotional  Committee,  and  if  so, 
how  can  it  be  used? 

In  selecting  leaders  for  the  year,  should  the  most  effi- 
cient be  chosen  or  should  any  one  from  the  membership, 
and  so  give  all  a  chance? 

What  course  would  you  suggest  for  us  to  pursue  to  over- 
come the  "passing-out  slips,"  and  "number-calling"  habits, 
when  we  return  to  our  home  Leagues  ? 

Are  good  results  obtained  from  discarding  the  regular 
topics  and  allowing  the  leaders  to  choose  their  own  topics  ? 

Do  you  think  the  devotional  meeting  of  the  League  a 
good  substitute  for  the  class  meeting? 

What  is  included  in  the  term  "personal  evangelism?" 

What  are  the  marks  of  your  best  meetings? 

Should  every  member  be  asked  to  lead  sometime?  If 
not,  who  should  not,  and  why? 

Is  the  meeting  helped  as  a  devotional  meeting  by  an 
orchestra  or  by  special  musical  features? 

What  use  should  be  made  of  helps  such  as  are  found 
in  The  Epworth  Herald  and  elsewhere? 

How  can  the  devotional  meeting  be  made  a  soul-winning 
agency  ? 

How  do  you  solve  the  problem  of  the  member  who  rarely 
takes  part? 

How  do  you  interest  associate  members  and  non-mem- 
bers in  the  devotional  meeting? 

In  rural  communities,  is  it  advisable  to  publish  in  the 
local  newspaper  the  weekly  program — or  the  program  week 
by  week  for  the  devotional  meeting? 

What  simple,  workable  plan  of  keeping  the  Morning 
Watch  can  be  suggested  by  one  who  worked  it? 

How  can  we6  arouse  interest  in  personal  work  among  the 
members  of  our  Chapter? 

Will  some  Chapter  which  has  successfully  helped  in 
revival  work  please  report  how  it  was  done? 

We  have  had  difficulty  in  enlisting  our  members  in  Bible 
study.  How  can  the  subject  be  presented  so  as  to  be  at- 
tractive to  those  who  have  never  yet  done  systematic  study 
outside  of  the  schoolroom? 

403 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

How  can  we  avoid  the  danger  of  making  Bible  study  a 
mere  intellectual  exercise? 

How  can  we  conduct  a  Bible  study  class  wben  we  bave 
no  person  specially  qualified  to  be  the  leader? 

Should  we  expect  every  League  member  to  do  "personal 
work?" 

What  ought  the  League  to  expect  of  the  pastor  in  the 
devotional  meeting? 

Shall  we  call  that  devotional  meeting  a  failure  in  which 
there  are  long  silences  and  a  scarcity  of  witnesses  ? 

Is  it  advisable  to  do  much  with  Bible  study  classes  when 
the  only  ones  apparently  interested  are  those  already  busy 
in  the  Sunday  school? 

How  shall  the  League  care  for  the  young  converts  at 
the  close  of  the  revival? 

What  are  the  duties  of  the  Spiritual  Department  toward 
the  absentees  in  a  Chapter  where  more  than  half  the  mem- 
bers are  away  from  home  the  greater  part  of  the  year? 

How  may  a  Chapter  in  a  weak  country  Church,  deprived 
of  the  Sunday  evening  preaching,  successfully  carry  on  the 
evening  service? 

How  should  open-air  meetings  be  conducted?  How 
often?     Where? 

In  what  way  would  it  be  best  to  introduce  the  Morning 
Watch  to  a  League  which  has  scarcely  heard  of  it? 

What  plans  can  you  suggest  by  which  a  Chapter  could 
find  the  young  men  and  women  in  its  community  and  in- 
terest them  in  the  Church  ? 

What  is  the  wisest  policy  concerning  the  transaction  of 
business  in  the  devotional  meeting? 

We  have  many  young,  sincere  Christians  in  our  Chapter. 
How  can  we  help  to  train  them  for  leaders?  If  any  Vice- 
President  has  had  a  class  for  training  members  for  leader- 
ship, will  he  tell  about  it,  please? 

What  can  we  do  for  our  younger  members,  and  the 
young  converts,  in  training  them  in  the  Christian  life  when 
they  are  all  busy  in  school  ? 

404 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

SECOND   DEPARTMENT    QUESTIONS. 

Should  a  missionary  social  be  held  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  money? 

What  is  the  Cycle  of  Prayer? 

Would  it  be  wise  to  devote  the  devotional  meetings  for 
one  month  to  Christian  Stewardship? 

Is  it  wise  for  a  person  to  lead  more  than  one  mission 
study  class  during  the  year? 

Is  it  advisable  to  hold  mission  study  class  meetings  dur- 
ing the  revival  season,  providing  the  meetings  are  held  after 
Church  is  dismissed? 

How  can  a  district  officer  interest  the  Leagues  of  his 
district  in  mission  study  ? 

Our  Chapter  supports  a  native  preacher  in  India.  We 
send  the  money  to  and  through  a  missionary  of  India  who 
went  out  from  our  city.  This  gives  us  a  more  personal 
interest  in  the  matter.  Is  there  any  reason  at  all  why 
we  should  not  do  so,  but  send  the  money  to  the  Church 
Board  ? 

What  plan  for  raising  missionary  money  has  proved 
successful  in  your  Chapter? 

Is  there  a  Chapter  which  can  report  more  than  just  a 
few  Christian  Stewards?  If  so,  how  was  it  accomplished? 
How  often  have  you  found  it  wise  to  present  the  subject? 

Is  there  a  practical  method  of  arousing  a  widespread 
interest  in  Christian  Stewardship  among  people  who  have 
scarcely  heard  of  it,  or  who  are  unprejudiced  against  it? 

How  can  we  teach  our  members  the  object,  purpose, 
and  importance  of  the  various  benevolences  other  than  mis- 
sions ? 

What  points  of  missionary  truth  would  you  chiefly 
emphasize  in  an  attempt  to  arouse  interest  in  foreign  mis- 
sions? To  stimulate  to  action  those  already  somewhat  in- 
terested ? 

What  can  a  Second  Vice-President  do  to  further  the 
work  of  his  department  in  a  Chapter  where  it  seems  im- 
possible to  have  a  mission  study  class?  Would  it  be  well 
for  him  to  bring  the  mission  study  book  sometimes  to  the 
monthly  missionary  meetings  and  read  some  parts  of  it 
relating  to  the  lesson,  or  comment  upon  it? 

405 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

Is  it  a  good  plan  to  have  the  Second  Vice-President  take 
charge  of  all  missionary  meetings? 

In  a  class  that  has  never  been  especially  interested  in 
foreign  missions,  would  you  assign  much  reference  work, 
or  would  you  confine  the  class  more  to  the  text-book? 

How  can  we  get  our  Epworthians  interested  in  reading 
missionary  books? 

In  an  Epworth  League  whose  Sunday  evening  meetings 
are  distinctly  evangelistic,  how  may  the  missionary  meet- 
ing be  conducted  so  that  it  will  not  break  into  this  spirit? 

Would  you  recommend  a  debate  when  the  missionary 
meeting  is  held  on  Sunday   evening? 

Please  give  a  definition  of  Christian  Stewardship  as 
it  is  intended  to  be  understood  in  the  work  of  the  Second 
Department. 

Do  you  think  any  one  could  consistently  take  the  office 
of  Second  Vice-President  who  does  not  believe  in  the  tithing 
or  in  the  tenth  as  affecting  Christians  living  under  the 
present  condition — that  is,  under  grace  rather  than   law? 

THIRD    DEPARTMENT    QUESTIONS. 

What  is  the  greatest  reason  for  Social  Service  in  the 
Epworth  League? 

Why  should  the  chairman  of  this  department  be  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Federation  for  Social  Service? 

How  can  this  department  and  the  Fourth  work  together 
in  gaining  the  confidence  of  the  foreign-speaking  young 
people  in  the  community  ? 

What  can  Epworthians  do  in  the  work  of  encouraging 
officials  to  enforce  the  anti-liquor  laws? 

With  what  reform  agencies  ought  the  department  to 
become  affiliated  ? 

How  may  we  co-operate  with  other  departments  of  the 
Church  in  making  a  survey  of  the  parish  ? 

How  can  we  avoid  duplication  with  other  agencies  in 
doing  Social  Service  work? 

What  are  the  good  and  bad  points  of  Christmas  or 
Thanksgiving  dinners  for  the  poor? 

What  can  the  rural  Chapter  do  to  influence  the  condi- 
tions of  farm  work? 

106 


SUPERVISION,   INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

Is  there  any  satisfactory  way  of  exerting  a  general  over- 
sight of  the  moving  picture  houses  in  the   neighborhood? 

How  can  the  Chapter  help  in  the  training  of  immigrant 
young  people  in  the  rudiments  of  civics  and  English? 

What  can  the  Chapter  do  for  the  away-from-home  young 
people  who  live  in  its  field? 

How  much  can  Epworthians  lead  in  the  discussion  of 
proposed  legislation  in  city  council  or  Legislature? 

FOURTH    DEPARTMENT    QUESTIONS. 

Is  the  work  of  the  Fourth  Department  to  have  socials 
to  increase  League  funds?  Which,  in  your  opinion,  proves 
to  our  young  people  that  we  want  them  to  have  good  times, 
the  pay  social  or  the  one  conducted  as  a  party? 

We  have  a  small  church  without  facilities  for  holding 
social  gatherings.  What  is  the  best  plan  to  follow  in  inter- 
esting the  older  Church  members  so  that  they  will  feel  like 
entertaining  the  League  in  their  homes  ? 

Is  not  the  department  more  detrimental  than  beneficial 
to  the  real  and  proper  work  of  the  League  as  set  forth  in 
its  "object?" 

Many  of  the  attendants  at  the  recreational  and  social 
affairs  do  not  come  to  the  devotional  meetings.  How  have 
you  tried  to  bring  them  to  the  latter,  and  with  what  success  ? 

Can  any  one  tell  of  a  Fourth  Department  plan  aimed 
directly  at  giving  an  impetus  to  young  people  to  go  to 
college  ? 

Can  anything  be  done  in  the  Fourth  Department  to 
help  the  boys  and  girls  who  have  left  the  public  school 
before  graduating,  and  who  now  regret  it?  We  have  some 
in  our  Chapter:  young  people  of  promise,  but  handicapped. 
No  library,  no  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  night 
school  in  town.     Has  the  League  anything  for  them? 

What  can  a  President  do  to  assist  and  develop  a  Fourtli 
Vice-President  who  is  intelligent,  eager,  and  willing,  but 
inexperienced   and   not  really  prepared  to  do  such  work? 

Has  any  Chapter  tried  having  a  central  idea  running 
through  the  literary  meetings  of  the  entire  year?  If  so, 
what  was  the  plan,  and  with  what  result? 

What  is  the  primary  object  of  the  Fourth  Department? 
107 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

How  can  we  go  about  the  preparation  of  a  program  of 
recreation    for   the   whole   neighborhood  ? 

What  plans  can  be  worked  that  will  act  as  preventives 
or  discouragers  of  the  amusements  frowned  on  by  our 
Church? 

Can  this  department  do  more  towards  winning  young 
men  to  the  League? 

How  can  we  and  they  get  over  the  barriers  that  exist 
between  us  and  the  strangers  in  our  neighborhood? 

Can  the  League  do  anything  through  this  department 
to  influence  the  life-work  decisions  of  its  members? 

Give  a  list  of  receptions  to  various  groups  of  people 
that  an  average  Chapter  can  have, — we  have  them  for  high 
school  students,  railway  men,  newcomers.      What  others  ? 

What  is  the  best  method  of  circulating  The  Epzvorth 
Herald? 

What  special  days  should  the  Chapter  observe? 

How  fully  should  we  take  up  athletics  ? 

Is  it  possible  to  revive  reading  circles  or  clubs? 

How  can  we  make  the  Fourth  Department  support  and 
serve  all  the  others  ? 

QUESTIONS    IN    LEAGUE    FINANCE. 

Do  you  drop  a  member  from  your  rolls  for  non-payment 
of  dues  ? 

What  percentage  of  Chapters  pay  their  dues  to  district, 
State,  and  general  funds? 

Why  do  so  many  Chapters  object  to  paying  dues  for 
district  and  general  work? 

The  object  of  the  League  being  largely  the  "attainment 
of  the  highest  New  Testament  standard  of  experience  and 
life,"  how  urgent  should  the  Treasurer  be  for  collection 
of  dues? 

What  is  your  method  of  collecting  dues  ? 

Would  it  not  be  better  in  the  long  run  to  make  an 
effort  to  have  every  member  of  the  League  a  contributor 
to  the  regular  benevolences  than  to  try  to  raise  money  for 
extra  funds  within  the  League,  unless  some  special  reason 
prompts  the  special  move? 

408 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

How  should  money  be  raised  for  special  enterprises 
undertaken  by  the  Chapter? 

How  much  can  the  Treasurer  help  in  the  teaching  and 
practice   of   Christian   Stewardship? 

What  is  the  value  of  a  Chapter  Budget,  and  how  do  you 
make  one? 

Who  shall  decide  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  Chapter's 
special  gifts? 

Should  delegates  at  a  convention  pledge  their  Chapter's 
support  to  district  or  other  larger  League  enterprises? 

SECRETARIAL   QUESTIONS. 

Discuss  methods  of  League  publicity? 

How  can  the  Secretary  get  the  support  of  the  local 
papers  ? 

How  many  records  should  the  Secretary  keep? 

What  can  the  Secretary  do  to  keep  track  of  the  mem- 
bers who  move? 

How  much  reporting  of  the  Chapter's  activities  should 
the  Secretary  do  ? 

Program  Committees  are  constantly  searching  the  four 
corners  of  the  earth  for  speakers.  The  convention  pro- 
grams, as  a  rule,  are  taking  in  a  broader  sweep,  and  more 
and  more  the  subject  of  missions  or  world  evangelism  is 
being  considered  as  one  of  the  fundamental  convention 
topics.  The  Missionary  Education  Department  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Boards  is  with  increasing  frequency  being  asked 
to  give  suggestions  to  Program  Committees  concerning 
topics,  speakers,  and  missionary  exhibits.  It  is  now  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  popular  demand  for  information  con- 
cerning missionary  features  of  convention  programs,  and 
invite  correspondence.  The  address,  as  many  times  printed 
in  this  book,  "lest  we  forget,"  is  150  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York. 

The  Missionary  Education  Department  has  made  avail- 
able for  rental  to  local  Churches  and  groups  of  Churches 
the  wealth  of  material  used  in  connection  with  the  great 
"World"  missionary  expositions  of  the  last  three  years. 
This  consists  of  scenery,  costumes,  curios,  and  exhibit  ma- 
terial   illustrative    of   the    life,    customs,    and    religions    of 

400 


THE   EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

many  non-Christian  lands,  and  of  several  home  mission 
fields.  For  missionary  exhibits  in  local  Churches  or  groups 
of  Churches,  the  curios  and  scenery  are  invaluable.  The 
costumes  may  be  used  for  missionary  dialogues  and  demon- 
strations of  native  life  in  non-Christian  countries;  for  teas, 
entertainments,  and  other  missionary  meetings  of  every 
kind.  Sets  of  curios  and  hangings  have  been  made  up 
especially  for  use  in  missionary  meetings,  and  the  immigra- 
tion outfits  have  proved  of  unusual  value  in  connection  with 
the  study  of  the  Church's  obligation  to  the  immigrant. 

The  Missionary  Education  Movement,  which  provides 
this  material  in  co-operation  with  the  Missionary  Educa- 
tion Department,  recognizes  the  value  of  the  dramatic  ele- 
ment in  religious  education,  and  undertakes  to  co-operate 
with  those  desiring  to  secure  full  benefits  from  its  use. 
Those  who  are  interested  in  the  dramatic  form  of  religious 
education  should  seek  to  guard  the  work  of  preparation 
and  presentation  so  that  there  will  not  fail  to  be  satisfactory 
devotional  and  educational  results. 

Scenery  for  Small  Missionary  Expositions. 

Small  missionary  expositions  are  recommended  as  a 
help  in  making  people  of  any  Church  or  community  realize 
more  vividly  the  conditions  of  life  in  non-Christian  lands 
and  in  home  mission  fields,  to  impress  the  need  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  to  illustrate  the  way  in  which  missionary  work 
is  conducted.  Missionary  committees,  women's  missionary 
societies,  and  young  people's  societies  are  well  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  conducting  small  expositions.  Such  an 
exposition  is  also  a  fitting  objective  or  culmination  for  a 
mission  study  class  or  classes  in  a  Church  or  town.  Small 
expositions  may  be  held  in  lecture  rooms,  Sunday  school 
rooms,  and  parish  houses  or  halls,  either  on  a  church  prop- 
erty or  elsewhere. 

Several  sets  of  specially  painted  scenery,  each  set  rep- 
resenting a  different  country,  are  now  available  for  mis- 
sionary expositions  in  local  Churches  or  small  groups  of 
Churches.  Each  set  is  a  typical  landscape,  painted  on  the 
best  canvas  and  fire-proofed,  there  being  thirty-two  lineal 
feet  of  scenery  ten  feet  high,  mounted  on  screen-like  frames. 

410 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

The  scenery  is  available  also  for  use  at  missionary 
summer  schools  and  conventions,  and  has  been  successfully 
used  for  this  purpose. 

The  scenery  may  be  set  up  in  various  ways.  The  best 
arrangement  forms  a  partly  enclosed  space  in  which  the 
small  building  reproducing  a  native  temple,  shrine,  or  home, 
a  part  of  each  set,  is  placed.  The  scenery  is  packed  in 
crates,  and  may  readily  be  shipped  by  freight  or  express. 

Send  to  the  Missionary  Education  Department  for  a 
complete  list  of  the  scenery,  charts,  and  other  accessories 
that  can  be  had.  The  quantity  and  variety  of  this  material 
will  be  greater  }Tear  by  year. 

The  success  of  a  convention  dejDends,  among  other 
things,  upon  perfect  organization.  All  the  details  must 
be  thought  out  and  worked  out  beforehand.  Intelligent 
instructions  must  be  given  to  all  helpers,  and  care  must 
be  taken  to  see  that  they  understand  their  instructions. 
Hold  every  helper  to  direct  responsibility  for  his  share  in 
the  work.  And  then,  having  perfected  a  smoothly  working 
organization,  keep  it  in  the  background  as  much  as  possible. 
Do  not  put  the  machinery  of  the  convention  on  exhibition. 
Have  as  little  business  as  may  be,  and  make  what  is  es- 
sential an  integral  part  of  the  religious  work  of  the  gath- 
ering. 

Advertising  the  Convention. — As  soon  as  the  program 
is  complete,  notify  those  who  have  been  assigned  to  work. 
When  it  is  perfectly  clear  that  all  understand  what  is  ex- 
pected of  them,  and  will  do  their  best  to  keep  their  assign- 
ments, print  the.  program  in  an  edition  sufficient  for  all 
advertising  purposes.  Send  a  copy  to  The  Epworth  Herald, 
so  that  the  convention  date  may  appear  in  its  "Convention 
Calendar,"  and  circulate  the  program  freely  among  the 
Chapters.  A  copy  should  be  sent  to  each  pastor,  together 
with  a  request  that  he  make  the  notice  of  the  convention 
a  part  of  his  regular  Church  announcements  until  the  date 
arrives. 

Put  on  the  program  all  possible  information  about  the 
work  in  the  district,  the  Conference,  the  State.  Let  the 
printed  page  tell  all  that  can  be  told  in  small  compass  of 
what  the  League  is  doing.     Perhaps  a  summary  of  the  dis- 

411 


THE  EFFICIENT  RPWORTHIAN. 

trict  officers'  reports  can  be  inserted.  It  will  be  a  highly 
profitable  use  of  the  space.  Other  printed  matter  should 
be  provided ;  brief  notices,  posters,  letter-heads,  postal 
cards,  in  as  large  variety  as  the  district's  funds  will  per- 
mit, so  that  every  Epworthian  in  the  district  may  know 
that  the  convention  is  about  to  be  held,  that  he  is  invited, 
that  he  needs  the  convention,  that  the  convention  needs  him, 
that  "special  rates  have  been  arranged  for,"  and  all  the 
other  facts  that  should  be  imparted  to  him.  For  what 
advantage  is  there  in  any  convention  to  the  Epworthian 
who  has  n't  had  the  desire  to  go  aroused  in  him  until  he 
simply  can't  stay  away  ? 

Appoint  a  reporter  for  The  Epworth  Herald,  with  in- 
structions to  send  a  report  at  the  earliest  possible  moment 
after  the  close  of  the  convention,  which  report  shall  not  be 
more  than  three  hundred  words  long,  and  which  shall  state 
the  facts  about  the  convention  without  attempting  to  give 
the  number  of  the  hymns  which  were  used,  or  to  indicate 
the  point  in  the  program  at  which  the  janitor  raised  the 
windows  for  ventilation. 

Convention  Hints. — A  convention  needs  order,  and  the 
average  convention  fails  to  get  it  because  it  is  supposed 
that  a  certain  amount  of  good-natured  confusion  is  inevi- 
table. The  wise  presiding  officer  will  seek  to  keep  order 
without  himself  being  disorderly  in  the  effort.  Fussiness 
and   scolding  make  more  disturbance  than   they   quell. 

The  music  of  the  convention  demands  careful  attention. 
Beware  of  the  tendency  to  make  the  singing  a  mere  pre- 
liminary, or  a  stop-gap.  Therefore,  do  not  sing  familiar 
hymns  just  because  they  are  familiar.  If  the  occasion  calls 
for  a  familiar  hymn,  by  all  means  sing  it,  for  people  will 
appreciate  its  fitness  to  the  thought  of  the  moment.  Sing 
the  best  hymns,  and  depend  on  their  quality  to  make  them 
familiar.  Convention  delegates  are,  as  a  rule,  quite  capable 
of  singing  any  hymn  in  the  book  at  first  sight,  and  they  like 
to  be  put  to  the  test.  Moreover,  if  unfamiliar  hymns  are 
used,  the  range  of  singing  appropriate  to  the  work  of  the 
convention  will  be  vastly  widened. 

At  frequent  intervals  give  the  entire  audience  something 
to  do.     Otherwise  people  will  go  to  sleep  or  take  to  day- 

412 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

dreaming  from  sheer  weariness.  Sing  not  merely  for  ex- 
ercise and  change,  but  because  the  singing  has  been  fitted 
into  the  theme  of  the  moment.  Pray,  not  merely  to  fill  the 
time,  or  to  diversify  the  program,  but  because  some  paper 
or  address  has  made  prayer  the  most  natural  thing  to  turn 
to.  Read  a  Scripture  message,  in  concert  or  responsively, 
as  much  because  the  Scripture  bears  upon  the  thought  of 
the  occasion  as  because  the  audience  needs  variety.  All  of 
which  means,  in  a  word,  this:  vary  the  exercises  with  all 
possible  ingenuity,  but  do  not  permit  the  variation  to  be 
meaningless  or  perfunctory. 

Provide  a  supply  of  inexpensive  note-books  and  pencils. 
The  delegates  may  forget  their  own,  and  yet  they  will  be 
glad  of  an  opportunity  to  take  notes.  One  dollar  will  pro- 
vide one  hundred  small  note-books,  and  another  dollar  will 
provide  pencils  sufficient  for  all  the  delegates. 

Furnish  the  chairman  with  a  bell  or  buzzer,  which  is  no 
respecter  of  persons.  Let  him  be  as  inexorable  as  a  train 
dispatcher  in  his  purpose  to  run  things  on  time. 

Serve  lunch  in  the  church,  or,  if  the  convention  meets 
in  a  city,  at  some  place  near  the  church,  or  ask  the  dele- 
gates to  pay  for  their  own  lunches  at  near-by  restaurants. 
Do  not  overburden  the  people  who  generously,  and  at  much 
personal  sacrifice,  are  entertaining  the  convention. 

Seek  more  efficiency  rather  than  more  machinery.  To 
appropriate  a  famous  saying  about  Christianity  in  a  certain 
part  of  London,  we  might  answer  the  question,  "Is  our 
present  League  machinery  a  failure?"  by  saying,  "I  don't 
know;  it  has  never  been  tried."  Do  not  spend  much  time 
over  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution  or  new  ar- 
rangements of  committees.  Put  first  things  first.  The 
people  who  are  getting  the  most  out  of  the  League  idea 
are  the  ones  who  have  least  to  say  about  its  imperfection 
and  insufficiency. 

Look  to  the  election  of  officers.  The  District  Cabinet 
is  more  important  than  many  seem  to  think.  It  decides 
very  largely  the  complexion  and  quality  of  the  local  work. 
If  you  have  a  good  Cabinet,  do  not  change  simply  because 
honors  should  be  passed  around.  The  good  district  officer 
is  worth  keeping  for  a  year  or  two  at  any  cost  of  doubtful 

413 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

compliments  to  other  people.  If  changes  are  made,  find  the 
faithful  ones,  who  do  not  advertise,  and  promote  them.  Be 
cartful  that  you  do  not  aid  the  ambitious  place-seeker,  if 
he  should  unhappily  afflict  the  convention  with  his  presence. 
Sooner  or  later  he  is  sure  paralysis  to  anything  he  touches. 
Convention  Themes. — These  should  not  be  stated  in  the 
bald  way  here  given,  but  all  possible  changes  should  be  rung 
on  the  method  of  formulating  the  topic. 

1.  General.  Inspirational  address  on  "The  New 
Evangelism;*  "A  New  View  of  the  Bible,"  "The  Mission- 
ary Uprising  of  the  Young  People,"  "The  World  for  Christ 
in'This  Generation,"  "The  Modern  Good  Samaritan,"  "The 
Widening  Field  of  Social  Service,"  "The  Epworth  League's 
Ideal  of  Culture,"  "Social  Life  and  Spiritual  Power,"  "The 
Moral  Value  of  Play,"  "Serving  God  With  Pencil  and  Ac- 
count Book,"  "The  Christian  Ideal  of  Getting  and  Using 
Possessions,"  "Winning  the  Next  Man,"  "The  League  for 
the  Young  People  and  the  Young  People  for  the  League." 

2.  Department  Conferences.  Discussions  of  the  work 
in  the  several  departments,  using  such  topics  as  these  out- 
lined below. 

The  First  Department.  The  devotional  meeting  and  its 
problems  of  leadership,  of  participation  by  all  members, 
of  the  use  of  topics,  helps,  and  outlines,  of  inviting  people 
to  Christ.  Bible  study— its  reasons,  the  courses  available, 
the  helps  provided,  methods  of  organization  and  manage- 
ment, essentials  to  success,  reasons  for  failure,  reflex  influ- 
ence on  students  and  Chapter,  chief  purposes  of  the  study. 
Studies  in  Christian  Experience— why,  how,  when,  where, 
by  whom,  under  what  circumstances,  course  to  be  used, 
things  to  avoid,  things  to  seek.  Studies  in  Personal  Evan- 
gelist—as  to  motives,  subjects,  methods,  safeguards,  helps, 
related  work,  actual  practice. 

The  Second  Department.  Mission  study — its  justifica- 
tion, its  available  material,  the  collateral  resources  within 
reach  of  the  class,  method  of  organization  and  conduct,  end 
to  be  accomplished.  Missionary  meetings— their  purpose, 
their  supervision,  preparation  of  leader  and  members,  re- 
sults desired.  Missionary  literature— its  variety,  character, 
value,  and  necessity;  how  to  secure  it  and  insure  its  read- 

414 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,   INSTRUCTION. 

ing.  Christian  Stewardship — as  a  thing  to  be  studied,  as 
a  conviction  to  be  crystallized  into  practice,  methods,  litera- 
ture and  study  courses  available. 

The  Third  Department.  Social  Service  work  in  the 
local  community,  beyond  its  borders,  varieties  of  service, 
co-operative  mercy  and  help,  the  temperance  task  in  public 
meetings  and  in  private  effort,  Christian  citizenship  in  elec- 
tions, general  civic  affairs,  reforms,  and  efforts  at  social 
betterment.  The  work  of  visiting — how,  when,  by  whom, 
for  what  purpose. 

The  Fourth  Department.  The  social  significance  of 
eating,  drinking,  and  music.  Social  life  and  the  Scriptures. 
Friendship  as  an  evangelizing  power.  Making  the  Chapter 
a  living  unity.  What  more  than  socials?  The  play  sin'rit 
in  action.  The  League  as  a  recreation  center.  After  the 
social,  what?  Reading,  with  and  without  others.  The 
League  and  general  culture. 

The  Institutes. 

The  Summer  Institutes  are  not  fairly  within  the  scope 
of  this  book,  as  their  planning  and  management  calls  for 
expert  service  of  so  many  sorts. 

A  few  paragraphs  are  inserted  because  the  subject  is 
of  such  large  interest  to  so  many  Epworthians,  and  it  is 
important  to  extend  the  range  of  that  interest. 

The  goal  of  the  Central  Office  of  the  Epworth  League 
is  an  Institute  within  reach  of  every  Epworthian  every 
summer.  This  has  not  yet  been  reached,  but  we  are  coining 
nearer  to  it  every  year. 

In  many  sections  the  Institutes  will  be  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Central  Office.  But  for  various  good  reasons 
independent  Institutes  are  established,  and  these  are  quite 
as  orthodox  and  official  as  if  they  were  under  the  direct 
supervision  of5*  the  General  Secretary. 

The  first  thing  to  do,  when  any  Institute  is  contem- 
plated or  even  merely  desired,  is  to  write  to  the  General 
Secretary  at  Chicago.  He  will  tell  what  the  prospects  for 
a  Central  Office  Institute  are,  and  will  outline  the  method 
of  procedure.     He  will  not  only  answer  such  inquiries;  he 

i  1 5 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

will  welcome  them,  and  do  all  in  his  power  to  encourage 
the  desire  which  prompts  them.  That  is  part  of  his  busi- 
ness. 

The  League  Educating  Its  Educators. 

The  Epworth  League  will  keep  on  holding  Institutes — 
for  one  reason,  because  the  Institutes  are  an  education  for 
the  League's  leaders. 

If  that  were  all,  it  would  be  pretty  expensive  business, 
this  bringing  together  of  several  hundred  young  people 
who,  at  their  own  cost  in  money  and  time,  would  be  expected 
to  furnish  enlightenment  and  instruction  to  a  more  or  less 
interesting  Faculty. 

That  is  n't  all,  nor  is  it  most,  of  the  Institute's  profit. 
But  it  has  a  large  and  distinct  value  just  the  same. 

At  the  Institutes  the  Faculty  folk  meet  young  people 
in  free  and  familiar  ways.  They  get  the  young  people's 
point  of  view,  and  not  infrequently  are  driven  to  correct 
a  lot  of  loosely  constructed  theories  as  to  the  intelligent 
habits  and  religious  processes  of  the  Institute  variety  of 
life. 

Many  a  man  who  has  gone  to  teach  a  class  at  the  Insti- 
tute, wondering  the  while  "what 's  the  use  of  it  all,"  has 
come  away  with  a  new  respect  for  young  seriousness  and 
young  directness  and  young  insistence  on  truth. 

The  Institutes  do  not  represent  all  the  Leagues  of  to- 
day— more  's  the  pity — but  they  represent  something  better. 
They  stand  for  what  League  life  is  going  to  be.  They 
define  the  League's  lines  of  advance,  the  tendency  of  its 
life.  What  the  Institutes  were  last  summer  many  Chapters 
will  begin  to  be  this  winter. 

What  is  the  Institute  tendency?  These,  among  many 
things,  are  part  of  it: 

To  be  discontented  zvith  a  devotional  meeting 
— that  merely  "goes"  well; 
— that  is  given  to  cant,  even  unconsciously ; 
— that  does  not  make  easy  the  freest  expression  of  genu- 
ine convictions  about  personal  religion,  in  unhack- 
neyed and  unaffected  utterance. 
41G 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

To  be  impatient  with  a  missionary  department 

— that    supplies    knowledge,    but    produces    no    conse- 
quences ; 
— that  weeps  with  Liberian  Africa,  but  ignores  the  wash- 
erwoman's Africa ; 
— that  studies  immigration  and  is  blind  to  the  Italian 
who  sweeps  the  street  or  the  Slovak  who  works 
on  the  section. 
To  get  away  from  such  notions  as 

— that  a  Thanksgiving  basket  is  the  last  word  in  helping 

the  poor; 
— that  hot  temperance  talk  scares  the  saloonkeeper ; 
— that  flowers  for  the  sick  make  unnecessary  any  real 
fellowship  with  uninteresting  people  who  are  not 
sick; 
— that  everything  would  be  all  right  with  the  unfortu- 
nate if  they  would  just  come  to  our  Church. 
To  grow  away  from  the  idea 

— that  a  Chapter  has   done   all   its   duty   in   recreation 
when  it  has  given  its  own  members  a  good  time; 
— that  athletics  are  not  good   form   for  a  religious  or- 
ganization ; 
— that  young  Christians   do   not  need  to  be  intelligent 
concerning  their  Church's  place  in  the  work  of  the 
Kingdom  of  God ; 
— that  recreation  and  culture  are  ends   in  themselves, 
rather  than  tools  of  the  Chapter's  trade  of  service. 
In  a  word,  the  Institute  tendency,  which  is  to  become 
the  whole  League's  tendency,  is  to  make  the  League  a  truly 
Christian  company,  seeking  intelligence  and  efficiency  be- 
cause it  is  more  concerned  for  the  Church  than  for  itself, 
more  concerned   for  the  community  than   for  the  Church, 
and  more  concerned  for  the  Christian  world-program  than 
for  the  community ! 

Many  pastors,  and  all  the  men  and  women  who  have 
served  on  Institute  Faculties,  see  this  plainly.  When  the 
other  pastors  and  other  leaders  see  it  with  equal  clearness, 
the  League  will  do  better  work  than  it  has  ever  done  before, 
because  it  will  have  a  larger  measure  of  enlightened  leader- 
ship. 

m  417 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

A   DISCOVERY   AT   THE    INSTITUTES. 

The  constant  need  of  the  Epworth  League  is  for  leader- 
ship. We  have  been  present  at  the  telling  of  that  until 
the  hearing  of  it  begins  to  be  a  little  wearying. 

The  implication  sometimes  is  that  unless  we  can  raise 
up  in  the  League  young  people  of  exceptional  powers  and 
unusual  gifts,  the  League  can  not  hope  to  be  anything  better 
than  a  group  of  footless,  purposeless,  and  occasionally  be- 
wildered youth,  a  problem  to  the  pastor,  an  embarrassment 
to   the   Church,   and   a   hopeless   puzzle   to   themselves. 

The  Institutes  have  always  proved  that  idea  to  be  both 
false  and  foolish,  and  each  year's  Institutes  give  new  con- 
firmation to  the  cheerful  truth  that  the  League  can  have 
all  the  leadership  it  needs  without  waiting  for  genius. 

In  every  Institute  there  appears  the  every-day  young 
man,  the  commonplace  young  woman,  whose  League  record 
is  little  less  than  amazing.  There  is  nothing  wonderful 
about  these  young  people  but  their  earnestness.  They  are 
just  folk. 

But  they  have  made  their  home  Chapters  very  hives  of 
League  industry.  They  have  wrought  results  which  the 
most  optimistic  pastors  had  not  hoped  to  see.  In  a  word, 
they  have  come  to  places  of  leadership,  not  through  ex- 
traordinary ability,  but  by  dint  of  an  undiscourageable 
purpose. 

The  other  young  people  at  the  Institutes  are  beginning 
to  see  this  thing  clearly.  It  is  dawning  on  them  that  what 
one  average  young  person  can  do  under  difficult  circum- 
stances another  can  do  also.  The  instructors  have  been 
encouraging  this  attitude  with  all  gladness,  for  they  know 
what  profit  for  the  Church  and  the  Kingdom  is  in  it. 

When  the  Institution  and  convention  time  is  over  the 
pastor  comes  to  his  own  again.  To  him  for  his  comfort 
the  summer  gatherings  speak  this  word :  You  have  unsus- 
pected resources  among  your  "average"  young  people. 
They  need  to  be  won  for  the  service,  to  be  convinced  of  its 
value,  to  be  shown  a  bit  of  its  heroic  side.  But  you  have 
them! 

Most  League  advances  of  the  ten  months  following  any 
Institute  season  will  not  be  made  by  brilliant  young  people. 

118 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

We  have  n't  enough  of  them  in  any  case.  The  work  will 
he  done  hy  the  ten  thousand  more-or-less  folk.  Those  who 
do  not  seem  likely  to  set  the  world  on  fire.  If  they  once 
get  the  vision  and  the  purpose,  they  will  not  stop  at  any- 
thing to  get  the  equipment  they  need,  and  to  do  the  work 
they  have  undertaken. 

Give  them  something  to  do.  Put  them  at  a  definite  piece 
of  service.  Leave  them  a  little  leeway  for  inventiveness 
and  initiative  and  responsibility,  and  keep  your  eye  on 
them  lest  emergencies  arise. 

Leadership  ?  Yes,  indeed  we  need  it.  But  we  have  it, 
though  it  is  undeveloped,  is  not  yet  even  called  out,  and 
certainly  does  not  recognize  itself.  None  the  less  it  is 
there.  It  is  in  our  own  young  people,  those  we  count  of 
only  fair  capacity. 

And,  O  wise  and  cunning  artificer  of  the  Kingdom  and 
pastor  of  the  flock,  yours  are  the  workers  and  the  work ! 
With  such  workers  you  can  double  the  doers  and  double 
the  doing. 

"What  is  that  in  thy  hand?" 

Home  from  Decision  ;  Down  to  Business. 

The  long  procession  of  suitcases  has  gone  up  the  hill 
to  the  station,  or  down  the  hill  to  the  boat,  and  the  Institutes 
are  ended. 

They  were  wonderful  times,  were  n't  they  ?  What  in- 
spirations, what  fellowships,  what  new  outlooks,  what  new 
knowledge !  And,  more  than  all,  what  high  resolves  and 
holy  dedications ! 

This  is  the  day  after  the  Institute.  We  are  back  in  the 
familiar  commonplaces  of  the  home  Church  and  Chapter. 
We  are  among  the  unprivileged  and  uninfluenced  majority 
who  did  not  get  tQ  the  Institute. 

But  is  it  just  the  same  as  it  was?  Is  there  not  new 
light  on  the  old  perplexity?  Does  not  the  courage  gained 
at  the  Institute  give  difficult  work  a  new  allurement?  Is 
there  not  a  strange  glow  of  interest  and  meaning  in  the 
every-day  round   of  the   League? 

Besides,  there  is  that  moment  of  decision  to  look  back 
upon  and  to  carry  forward  into  all  the  plans  of  the  future. 

110 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

It  was  a  decision — now  comes  the  steady  business  of  stand- 
ing by  it  and  transforming  it  into  a  deed. 

That  is  the  one  safeguard  against  the  loss  of  the  Insti- 
tute's profit.  "Methods"  may  be  forgotten,  and  materials 
for  study  may  be  mislaid,  and  great  messages  may  grow 
daily  more  difficult  of  recollection. 

But  the  decision  stands  !  That  is  a  contract  between 
the  decider  and  his  Lord.  It  was  made  with  deliberateness ; 
it  must  be  kept  with  faithfulness. 

The  sure  w;ay  to  keep  it  is  to  begin  keeping  it  at  once, 
by  letting  people  know  it  was  made,  and  by  putting  it  to 
work  on  the  nearest  task  that  it  was  made   for. 

He  who  promises  his  Master  a  certain  service  has  also 
promised  to  discover  ways  of  rendering  that  service.  There- 
fore, find  the  beginnings  of  the  deed  that  will  make  your 
decision  a  thing  of  life  and  power. 

The  Church  has  heard  about  your  mountain-top  exalt- 
ing and  exulting;  it  waits  now  to  see  what,  in  its  actual  out- 
working, your  new  determination  will  produce. 

The  best  report  of  the  Institute  will  be  made,  not  in  the 
"echo  meeting,"  but  in  the  lives  that  work  out  the  Institute 
influence  and  the  Institute  dedication. 

TO   THE   BUSY   AND   PATIENT   PASTOR. 

Were  there  Epworthians  at  the  Summer  Institutes  from 
your  Church?     Then  you  have  business  with  "them. 

They  learned  some  things  which  make  them  of  more 
value  in  the  work  of  the  Church  than  they  were  before 
the  Institute. 

They  heard  some  things  which  stirred  their  hearts  and 
quickened  their  minds  and  gave  them  new  visions  as  to  the 
possibilities  of  Christian  living. 

They  came  to  great  decisions  concerning  their  personal 
relationship  to  the  work  of  the  Kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ. 

These  are  the  Church's  young  people.  But  first  of  all, 
they  are  your  young  people.  The  first  fruits  of  their  new 
ardor  and  devotion  should  appear  in  their  home  Church  and 
Chapter. 

You  could  not  attend  the  Institute.  But  now  the  Insti- 
tute comes  to  you. 

420 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,  INSTRUCTION. 

If  no  more  than  one  of  the  young  people  is  in  your 
charge,  that  fact  is  one  of  the  privileges  of  your  ministry. 
Besides,  you  have  a  new  friend,  a  new  sympathizer,  a  new 
fellow-laborer. 

The  League  commends  these  young  folk  to  you;  it  be- 
lieves you  will  be  glad  to  encourage  them,  to  make  use  of 
them,  to  see  that  their  new  knowledge  is  not  wasted  for 
want  of  use,  that  their  new  eagerness  does  not  evaporate  in 
an  indifferent  atmosphere,  that  their  new  dedication  of  life 
is  not  overlooked  in  the  press  of  the  Church's  routine  work. 

To  be  young  with  the  youthful  is  as  great  a  pastoral 
privilege  as  to  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice  and  to 
weep  with  them  that  weep.  But  it  is  more  than  a  privilege. 
It  is  an  accession  of  power  in  a  form  which  makes  it  avail- 
able for  instant  use. 

May  God  make  this  matter  prosj)er  at  your  hand ! 

Group   Meetings. 

The  district  organization  is  the  next  in  order  after  the 
local  Chapter,  and  the  district  conventions,  of  course,  are 
valuable  and  important  gatherings.  But  they  do  not  pro- 
vide all  the  assistance  that  is  needed.  In  most  districts 
it  will  be  found  that  a  series  of  subdistrict  or  group  meet- 
ings may  be  held  with  the  utmost  profit.  They  will  not 
interfere  with  the  annual  district  gathering,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  will  tend  to  make  that  meeting  more  popular  and 
increase  its   attendance   and  value. 

The  group  meeting  provides  closer  fellowship  and  better 
acquaintance  between  the  members  of  the  neighboring 
Chapters.  Moreover,  it  provides  a  splendid  opportunity 
for  the  discussion  of  local  problems,  which  are  important 
enough,  but  which  may  interest  only  four  or  five  Chapters, 
and  so  are  not  fully  discussed  in  the  larger  gatherings. 

For  the  organization  of  group  meetings  divide  the  dis- 
trict into  four,  five,  or  six  groups,  with  as  near  as  possible 
the  same  number  of  Chapters  in  each  group.  Arrange  the 
groups  according  to  convenience  of  travel  between  the  in- 
dividual Chapters  of  the  group.  Then  plan  to  hold  one  or 
two  meetings  a  year  in  each  group. 

The  program  for  a  subdistrict  or  group  meeting  will 
421 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

be  much  less  formal  for  a  district  convention,  but  it  may 
be  much  more  direct  and  practical.  It  will  cover  usually 
the  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening  of  a  single  day.  The 
morning  and  afternoon  sessions  should  be  devoted  largely 
to  methods,  local  problems,  and  the  development  of  prac- 
tical effectiveness.  The  evening  session  may  wisely  be 
given  up  to  one  speaker,  whose  formal  address  should  have 
large  inspirational  value.  It  will  be  all  the  better  if  the 
evening  address  can  be  wholly  evangelistic,  so  that  at  the 
close  an  invitation  to  begin  the  Christian  life  may  be  ex- 
tended, with  the  hope  that  many  people  attracted  to  the 
exercises  of  the  day  may  be  won  over  to  the  Kingdom 
of  God. 

The  group  meeting  provides  a  good  opportunity  for 
the  adoption  by  the  associated  Chapters  of  some  form  of 
united  effort,  such  as  the  fresh-air  work,  of  concerted 
evangelistic  movements,  or  flower  mission  work.  If  some 
Chapters  of  the  group  are  in  the  country  and  others  in  the 
city,  an  ideal  plan  of  co-operation  in  fresh-air  and  flower 
mission  work  may  easily  be  arranged. 

Use  every  Chapter  in  making  up  the  program.  Some 
Chapters  will  have  good  material  for  one  part  of  the  pro- 
gram, other  Chapters  can  help  in  other  things,  but  no 
Chapter  must  be  slighted. 

Many  group  organizations  find  that  the  awarding  of 
banners  for  the  best  attendance  is  a  valuable  means  of 
stimulating  interest  in  the  group  meetings.  These  banners 
may  be  awarded  by  various  methods ;  for  example,  for  the 
largest  attendance  in  proportion  to  membership,  or  for  the 
largest  number  of  miles  traveled,  so  that  the  Chapters  from 
the  remoter  places  will  not  feel  that  they  stand  no  chance. 
Or  the  banner  may  be  awarded  on  the  basis  of  the  largest 
proportion  of  dues  paid,  or  the  largest  number  of  members 
in  study  classes,  or  the  largest  proportionate  increase  in 
membership  since  the  last  group  meeting.  In  fact,  there 
are  so  many  reasons  for  awarding  banners  that  several 
banners   may   profitably   be   offered    for   competitive   effort. 

Group  meetings  are  valuable  not  only  for  the  reasons 
already  stated,  but  because: 

1.     They  can  be  held  frequently. 
422 


SUPERVISION,  INSPIRATION,    INSTRUCTION. 

.2.  Many  can  go  a  short  distance  and  for  a  little  time 
who  could  never  attend  one  of  the  larger  and  remoter 
gatherings. 

3.  They  involve  very  little  expense,  which  is  an  im- 
portant item  to  many. 

k    The  social  features  can  be  emphasized. 

5.  You  can  use  material  on  the  program  which  you 
could  not  in  a  district  meeting. 

6.  Everybody  feels  a  sense  of  responsibility. 

7.  It  puts  the  power-house  close  to  the  factory  and  the 
raw  material. 

8.  So  many  delegates  are  present  from  each  Chapter 
that  it  is  easy  to  carry  enthusiasm  home.  This  can  not  be 
said  of  the  great  conventions.  They  generate  tremendous 
power,  but  lack  transmitters. 

9.  They  cultivate  good   feeling  between  the  Chapters. 

Note  on  the  Junior  Work. 

This  book  has  been  purposely  limited  to  the  problems 
of  Ep worth  League  work  proper.  The  Junior  League  is 
so  far-reaching  in  its  scope,  and  so  different  in  its  methods, 
that  it  was  not  deemed  wise  to  attempt  its  treatment  here. 
That  has  been  better  done  in  another  place,  by  another 
hand. 

But  it  should  always  be  remembered  that  these  two 
branches  of  Epworth  League  work,  though  dealing  with 
different  material  under  different  conditions,  are  parts  of 
the  same  organization,  younger  and  older  members  of  the 
same  family. 

The  Junior  Superintendent  is  a  member  of  the  Epworth 
League  Cabinet,  although  appointed  by  the  pastor  instead 
of  being  elected  by  the  Chapter.  At  all  Cabinet  meetings 
the  Junior  Superintendent  should  be  expected  and  wel- 
comed. The  problems  of  the  Junior  work  should  be  con- 
sidered as  carefully  as  those  of  any  of  the  departments, 
and  the  Chapter  should  be  educated  to  the  point  of  accept- 
ing large  responsibility  for  the  Junior  branch  of  the  work. 

The  First  Department  is  especially  charged  with  this 
work  of  counsel  and  supervision.  The  First  Vice-President 
ought  to  be  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  Junior  meetings,  and 

123 


THE  EFFICIENT  EPWORTHIAN. 

a  sympathetic  and  intelligent  counselor  of  the  Junior 
workers. 

The  Junior  Superintendent  and  the  other  members  of 
the  Junior  staff  have  a  right  to  expect  support — moral, 
material,  and  personal — from  the  members  of  the  senior 
Chapter.  That  the  Junior  work  is  done  in  a  different 
place  and  at  a  different  time  from  the  other  League  work 
affords  no  reason  for  ignoring  it  or  for  belittling  it. 

If  Epworth  League  workers  are  wise,  they  will  see  that 
the  preservation  of  the  League  itself  is  largely  a  question 
of  the  success  of  the  Junior  work.  Given  a  carefully  chosen 
course  of  training,  conscientiously  and  enthusiastically  fol- 
lowed, and  when  the  Juniors  are  ready  to  graduate  they 
will  be  the  finest  possible  material  for  the  uses  of  the  senior 
organization.  A  well-trained  Junior  has  such  an  advantage 
over  one  who  has  missed  the  training  that  it  is  worth  all  it 
costs  to  provide  such  education  and  culture  in  religious 
things  as  the  Junior  League  affords. 


124 


INDEX. 


Abbreviated  Social,  The 286 

Action,  As  the  League  Ideal .  .      21 

Active  Members 35 

Advertising 327,  328 

Advertising  the  Convention.  .   -til 

Age  Limit,  The 40 

Age  Question,  The 76 

Aged,  Homes  for  The 236 

Amusements,    The    Christian 

and 107 

Amusement  Question,   Tack- 
ling the  Other  Side  of  The.  280 

Anniversary  Day 341,  344 

Anniversary  Day,  Homily  on.  351 
Anniversary     Day,     Subjects 

for  Addresses 348 

Anniversary     Program,     The 

Special 347 

Army  Camp  Fire,  The 298 

Assembly,  A  Home 267 

Assignment    of    Members    to 

Departments 32,     34 

Associate  Members 35 

Authors,  Hidden 291 

Authors'  Traits 293 

B 

Badge,  Epworth  League 35 

Banquet,  The  Annual 301 

Barn  Social,  A 306 

Barter  Social,  A 288 

Baseball  Game  of  Buzz,  The .  308 

Baseball,  Indoor.  .  * 312 

Baseball  Party,  A 311 

Better    Work    Our    Chapter 

Should  Do 359 

Bible  Study 155 

Bible  Study  Class,  The  Leader 

of  the 160 

Bible  Study  Class,  Organiza- 
tion of  the 159 


Bible  Study  in  the  League . .  .  158 

Bible  Study  Meetings 160 

Bible  Study  and  the  Morning 

Watch 161 

Bible  Study  Rally  Day 162 

Bible  Study  Rally  Day  Pro- 
grams   163 

Bible  Study  Suggestions 156 

Bicycle  Tours 304 

Bishop  Vincent's  Summary  of 

Methodist  Doctrine 109 

Board  of  Control,  The .  24,  25,  36 

Book  and  Its  Study,  The 155 

Book  Club,  The 266 

Books,     Circulating,     Every- 
body's    264 

Budget,  The  Epworth  League.  338 

Budget  Dinner,  The 338 

Business  Meeting,  The,  45,  54,  57 
Business    Meeting,    The    An- 
nual    60 

Business    Meeting,    Order    of 

Business 61 

Business  Records 323 

Businesses,   Short  Studies   of 

Great 273 

Buzz,  The  Baseball  Game  of .  308 

By-Laws,  Suggested 33 


Cabinet    and     the    Epworth 

League,  The 368 

Cabinet,  The  Local 52 

Cabinet    Meeting,    Order    of 

Business 55 

Cake,  Choosing  the 292 

Camp  Delights 312 

Camping  Out 307 

Candy  Making 285 

Carnival  of  the  Seasons,  The .    301 


425 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Central  Methodist  Episcopal 

Church,  Cleveland 10 

Ceremonial  Occasions 375 

Chapter,  Organizing  a 38 

Chapter,  The  Rural 219 

Chapter,  Survey,  A 67,  358 

( Chapters,  Visiting  Between. . .  234 

Charades 285 

Charter,  The  Unveiling  of  the.  41 

Charters,  Kinds  of 41 

Charts,  Missionary 178,  190 

Children's  Homes 237 

Christ,  The  Present 10G 

Christian  Citizen,  The 259 

Christian  Citizenship 256 

Christian  Citizenship  Day.  .  .  341 

Christian  Education 113 

"  Christian  Stewardship,  Our"  203 
Christian    Stewardship    Pro- 
gram, A 205,  200 

Christian    Stewardship,    The 

Reflex  Value  of 204 

Christmas  Gift  to  the  Christ, 

A 112 

Christmas  Service,  A 341 

Church   Economy,    The   Ten 

Points  of 110 

Church,  The  League  and  the.  18 

Church  Lyceum,  The 7,  8 

Church  and  Youth,  The 7 

Circulating  Library,  A  Chap- 
ter   265 

City  You  Live  In,  The 294 

Citizenship,    Women's    Rela- 
tion to  Christian 258 

Civic  Debate,  A 274 

Cleveland  Conference,  The .  .  10 
Clothespins,  A  Game  With .  .  308 
Colored   Conferences,    Assist- 
ant Secretary  for 26 

Colors,  Epworth  League 35 

Committees,     Reducing     the 

Size  of 63 

Community,  What  the  Chap- 
ter  Should    Know   About 

the 214 

Community  Field  Day,  A. . .  .  307 
Community  and  the  League, 

The 65 

Community  Study 213 


PAGE 

Community   Study,    How   to 

Begin  a 215 

Confession,  A  Service  of 114 

Congress  of  Nations,  A 272 

Congress  of  Notables,  A 272 

Constitution,  The  General ...      25 

Constitution,  The  Local 27 

Contests,  Membership 314 

Convention,  Advertising  the.  411 
Convention,     Questions     for 

Discussion  in  the 401 

Convention,  The  District,  394,  395 

Convention  Exhibits 409 

Convention  Hints 412 

Convention    Master    or    Ser- 
vant, The 395 

Convention.  Building  the  Pro- 
gram of  the 397 

Convention,  Speakers  of  the  .  399 
Convention,  Themes  of  the, 

398,  414 
Convention,  Value  of  the.  ...      15 

Corn  Social,  A 285 

Correspondence,    The    Chap- 
ter's     325 

Correspondence,     Where     to 

Send  the  Missionary 195 

Country  Dinner,  A 306 

Country   Epworthians   Going 

to  the  City 330 

Cross,  The  Epworth 17,     43 

Culture 263 

Culture  and  Recreation 262 

Culture  and  Recreation  De- 
partment      262 

Cultural    Programs,    Sugges- 
tions for 270 

Cycle  of  Prayer,  The 186 

D 

Days,  Special 341 

Deaconess  Movement,  The. . .  14 
Deaconess     and     the     Social 

Service  Department,  The .  229 

Debate,  A  Civic 274 

Debates,  Missionary 178 

Debates,  Subjects  for 275 

Decision  Meeting,  A 114 

Denominational     Control     of 

League  Work 18 


426 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Department     of     Missionary 

Education 175,   190 

Departmental  Activities,  Ev- 
olution of 16 

Departments,  Organizing  the.  42 
Departure,  Some  New .  .  .  355,  357 

Descriptive  Initials 290 

Desertions  From  the  League. .  79 
Devotional  Meeting,  The.. 45,  89 
Devotional  Meeting,   Closing 

the 117 

Devotional  Meeting,   Do  n'ts 

for  the 98 

Devotional     Meeting,     Hints 

for  the 124 

Devotional  Meeting,  How  to 

Magnify  the 101 

Devotional  Meeting,  How  to 

Take  Part  in  the 118 

Devotional  Meeting,  Mission- 
ary      175 

Devotional  Meeting,  Opening 

the 115 

Devotional  Meeting,  Plans  of.  93 
Devotional     Meeting,     Plans 

for  Special 104 

Devotional  Meeting,  Prepara- 
tion of 91 

Devotional  Meeting,  Progress 

of 95 

Devotional  Meeting,  Purpose 

of. 97 

Devotional  Meeting,  Scrappi- 

ness  in  the 99 

Devotional  Meeting,   Singing 

in  the 119 

Devotional    Meeting,     Testi- 
mony in  the 103 

Devotional  Meeting,  Ushers.  121 
Devotional  Meeting,  Variety 

in  the 115 

Dickens,  The  Children  of 272 

Dickens  Evening,  A 298 

Discipline  Evening,  A 271 

District  Convention,  The.  . .  .   394 

District  League,  The 393 

District  Officers,  Installation 

of 382 

District  Superintendents  and 
Pastors 33 


PAGE 

Dominant  Note,  The  Conven- 
tion's     398 

Drawing  Party,  A 295 

Dry  Goods  Describer,  A . .  : . .   291 

Dues,  The  Collection  of 337 

Duncan,  John  W.,  on  Chris- 
tian Stewardship 203 

E 

Education,  Christian 113 

Efficiency,  Hints 82 

Enterprises,  The  Inside  of  Big.  272 

Ep worth  Cross,  The 17,     43 

Epworth  Herald,  The 276 

Epworth  Herald  in  the  Devo- 
tional Meeting 124 

Epworth  Herald  and  League 

Business 369 

Epworth  Herald,  Uses  of .  .  .  .  365 
Epworth    Herald,    Why    the 

Cabinet  Should  Take  the .   368 
Epworth  Herald  Day.  .  .  ".341,  365 

Epworth  League  Badge 35 

Epworth  League  Colors 35 

Epworth  League  Pledge. .  .  35,  385 

Epworth  League  Ritual 375 

Epworth  League,  Task  of  the.  350 
Epworth  League  Watchword.  36 
Epworth    Memorial    Church, 

Cleveland 10 

Epworth  Wheel,  The 15 

Evangelism  in  the  League. ...  15 
Evangelism  of  a  Person,  The .  152 
Evolution    of    League    Life, 

Thoughts  on  the 22 

Exclusion  of  Members,  The .  .  56 
Exhibits  for  Conventions ....  409 
Experts,  Evening  with 273 


Facts,  Finding  the  Chapter.  .  67 
Facts,    Finding  the   Commu- 
nity   70 

Fagot  Party,  The 289 

Feather  Volley  Ball 311 

Field  Day,  A  Community ....  307 

Field  Meet,  A  Parlor 310 

Finance,  Questions  on  League.  408 
Finances  of  the  General  Or- 
ganization    '26 


427 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Financial  Man,  The  Chapter's  335 
Financial    Plan,    The    Chap- 
ter's     336 

First  Department  and  Holy 

Week,  The 149 

First  Department  Questions...  403 
First  Vice-President,  Qualifi- 
cations of  the 49 

Flowers,  The  Message  of  the.    112 
Founders,  The  Faith  and  Wis- 
dom of  the 12 

Fourth     Department,     Func- 
tions of  the 262 

Fourth  Department  Questions  407 

Fourth  of  July,  The 353 

Fourth  of  July,  A  New 247 

Fourth  of  July,  The  Sunday 

Nearest  the 352 

Fourth  Vice-President,  Quali- 
fications of  the 146 

Freedman's  Aid  Society  Day.  341 

Fresh  Air  Work 244 

Full  Program  and  the  Empty 
Life,  The 146 


General  Constitution,  The ...  25 
General    Conference,    The 

League  and  the 24 

General  League  Officers ...  26,  36 
Geography,  The  Romance  of.  273 
German  Assistant  Secretary, 

The _..     26 

Gifts  from  the  Chapter,  Special  239 

Gifts  to  Missionaries 188 

Giving,  Bible  Motives  for 201 

Giving,  Four  Methods  of 196 

Giving,  One  Chapter's 194 

Giving,  One  Use  of 200 

Giving,  Questions  on 204 

Giving,  Right  and  Wrong  Mo- 
tives for 197 

Giving,    Scripture    Questions 

On 202 

Giving,  Significance  of 198 

Giving,  Uses  of 201 

Good  Government 223 

Graduate   Epworthians,    Pro- 
moting the 27 

Group  Meetings 421 


H  PAGE 

Hall  of  Fame,  A  Biblical ....  270 

Hallowe'en  Games.  .302,  303,  304 

Hallowe'en  Happenings 302 

Health  Department  and  the 

League,  The  Local 217 

Heavenly    Home,    Preparing 

for  Our Ill 

Hidden  Authors 291 

Hiking  Parties 306 

Historic  Lovers 300 

Holiday  Cards 302 

Holidays    and    the    Epworth 

League 249 

Holiday  Tour,  The 308 

Holidays,     The    Redemption 

of 247 

Holy    Week,    The   First   De- 
partment and 149 

Home  Assembly,  A 267 

Homes  for  the  Children 237 

Homes  for  the  Aged 236 

Hospital  Visiting 232 

Hospitals     and     the     Social 

Service  Department 235 

Hundred  Dollaj  Social,  A. . .  .  290 

Hymns,  Missionary 180 

I 

Ignorance,  The  Depths  of . .  .  .   292 
Immigration,     Present     Day 

Aspects  of 225 

Imperfect  League  Work 78 

Independence  Day 353 

Indoor  Baseball 312 

Industry,  Christianizing 222 

Initiative  in  the  League 81 

Institute,  After  the 419 

Institute,  A  Discovery  at  the.  418 

Institute  Idea,  The 400 

Institute  Tendency,  The 416 

Institutes,  The 415 

Institutes,    The    Pastor    and 

the 420 

Installation  of  Chapter's  Offi- 
cers     377 

Installation  of  District  Offi- 
cers    382 

Interdenominational  Even- 
ings    273 


128 


INDEX. 


Jumble  Social,  A 290 

Junior  Government,  A 223 

Junior    League    Superintend- 
ent, Duties  of  the 32 

Junior  Work,  Note  on  the.  .  .  423 
Juniors,  Graduation  of 377 


Labor  Day  Celebration 301 

Language  Social,  A 287 

Leaders    of    the    Devotional 

Meeting,  A  School  for  the.    101 
Leaders     of     Social     Service 

Study  Classes 224 

Leaders,  Letters  from  League.     61 
Leaders,  A  Talk  with  the  De- 
votional Meeting 90 

Leader's  Twelve  Words,  The .  90 
Leadership  in  the  League.  .  .  .  418 
League  Finance,  Questions  on.  408 
League    Means    Business,    If 

Our 3G9 

League  Organizations,  Forms 

of 24 

League  Rally  Day 341 

League  Tested  by  Time,  The .  12 
League's  Value  to  the  Church, 

The 13 

Lecture  Course,  A 268,  358 

Left-Handed  Social,  A 287 

Letters  from  League  Leaders .     61 

Library,  The  Envelope 275 

Library,  The  Mission  Study .  .    174 
Life  Work,  Evening  on  Choos- 
ing a 272 

Lincoln's  Birthday 289,  342 

Literature,     Distribution     of 

Good 246 

Literature  in  Barber  Shops..   246 
Literature    in    Railway    Sta- 
tions  " 246 

Literary  Evenings,  Hints  for  271 
Local  Constitution,  The 27 

M 

Maps,  Missionary 174 

Meetings 45,     46 

Meetings  of  the  League 45 


PAGE 

Members,  Active 35 

Members,  Assignment  to  the 
Departments 32 


Members,  Associate 35, 

Members,  Developing  New.  . 

Members,    Exclusion    of,    32, 

34, 

Members,  Lists  of  Prospect- 


3U 
315 


56 


322 
322 


Members,  Moving  Away  of .  . 
Members,  Reception  of.  .316,  375 
Members,  Recognition  of  New  316 
Membership,  Conditions  of. . .  40 
Membership  Contests.  .  .314,  319 
Membership,  Discussion  of. .  .  56 
Membership,  Recommenda- 
tions for 55 

Membership  Record,  The  Sec- 
retary's  321,  322 

Membership  Roll,  Lengthen- 
ing the 312 

Mercy  and  Help  Work,  Mak- 
ing It  Constructive 216 

Methodism,     and     What     It 

Stands  for 109 

Methodist  Federation  for  So- 
cial Service 215 

Methodist    Temperance    So- 
ciety    251 

Methodist  Year  Book 192 

Methodist     Young     People's 

Union 9 

Mission  Study  Class,  Work  of 

the 173 

Mission  Study  Libraries 174 

Mission  Study  Rally  Day 170 

Mission    Study    Rally    Day 

Programs 172 

Mission  Study  Rally  Day  Sug- 
gestions     171 

Mission  Study,  Timeliness  of.  166 
Missions,  A  Survey  of  Meth- 
odist     177 

Missions,  Why  Study 167 

Missionary     Boards     of     the 
Methodist  Episcopal 

Church 177 

Missionary  Charts 178,  190 

Missionary  Devotional  Meet- 
ing, The 175 


429 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Missionary     Education,     De- 
partment of. .  .  . .173,  175,  190 
Missionary   Entertainments, 

More  Formal 192 

Missionary  Expositions,  Scen- 
ery for 410 

Missionary     Field,    Women's 

Work  in  the 182 

Missionary  Hymns 180 

Missionary  Inspiration  Meet- 
ing, A 182 

Missionary  Literature 173 

Missionary  Maps 174 

Missionary  Material,  Other.  .  189 
Missionary    Meetings,    Hints 

for 179 

Missionary     Meetings,     Spe- 
cial      177 

Missionary  Pageants 192 

Missionary  Revival,  The.  ...  14 
Missionary  Scrap  Book,  A. .  .  189 
Missionaries,  Direct  Contact 

with 187 

Missionaries,  Gifts  to 188 

Missionaries,    The    League   a 

Producer  of 169 

Morning  Watch,  The ...   132 

Morning    Watch    and    Bible 

Study 161 

Morning  Watch  Day 341 

Morning  Watch,  Elements  of 

the 132 

Morning  Watch,  How  to  Keep 

the 136 

Morning  Watch  Scripture  Il- 
lustrations     138 

Morning    Watch    Testimony 

Hints 138 

Morning    Watch    Campaign, 

The 132 

Morning     Watch     Question, 

The 138 

Musical  Evenings 289 

My  Chum?  Who  Is 153 

N 

Nation  Social,  The 219 

Nations,  A  Congress  of 272 

Native  State  Social,  A 286 

Necessitous  Cases 233 


PAGE 

Neighbor,  My  Business  with 

my 108 

New    Americans,    The    Third 

Department  and 225 

New     Members,     Canvassing 

for 314 

Nominating  Committee 40 

North  Ohio  Conference  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Alliance.  .  10 

Notables,  A  Congress  of 272 

Novel,  The  Composite 293 

Numbers,  A  Menu  of 287 

O 

Officers,  Installation  of  Chap- 
ter's   377 

Old  Members'  Social,  An 286 

Old  People's  Day 370 

Open  Air  Services 122 

Orchestra,  A  Comic 285 

Organic  Law,  The 24 

Organizing  a  Chapter 38 

Outdoors  Indoors,  Bringing.  .  308 

Outdoor  Pleasures 304 

Oxford  League,  The 8 


Parish  Abroad  Plan,  The.  ...    187 

Parlor  Field  Meet 310 

Pastor  and  the  Business  Meet- 
ing, The 59 

Pastor  and  the  Institutes,  The  420 
Pastor  and  the  District  Super- 
intendent, The. 33 

Pedestrian  Sociability 305 

Periodicals,  The  Latest 297 

Permanence,  The  Test  of  the 

League's 74 

Personal  Evangelism  Day. . .  .   341 
Personal  Evangelism,  Imagi- 
nary Hindrances 145 

Personal   Evangelism,    Meth- 
ods of 141,   143 

Personal    Evangelism,    Ques- 
tions on 143 

Personal     Evangelism,     Real 

Hindrances  to 144 

Personal  Evangelism,  Reasons 
for 139 


430 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Petition,  The  Right  of 249 

Picnic  Games 306 

Picnic,  The  Indoor 309 

Play,  Little  Paragraphs  on .  .  .   284 

Play,  The  Value  of 281 

Pledge  Analyzed,  The 386 

Pledge?  Do  You  Know  The.  .  391 
Pledge,  Epworth  League .  .  35,  385 

Pledge,  Purpose  of  the 389 

Pledge,  Temperance 250 

Pledge,  Who  Should  Take  the.  389 

Pledge  Meeting,  A 392 

Poems,  Identifying  the 295 

Polar  Evening,  A 300 

Policy,  The  Chapter 57 

Post  Cards,  Scrambled 287 

Practice  of  the  Presence,  The.  132 

Prayer,  The  Cycle  of 186 

Prayer-meetings 123 

"  Prayer"  Meeting,  A 105 

Prayer-meetings,  Some 123 

President,  Duties  of  the 31 

President,     Qualifications     of 

the 33,     47 

Prison  Work 217 

Program  Committees,  Sugges- 

t  ions  for 409 

Program,  The  Convention.  .  .  397 
Public  Servants,  A  Directory 

of 223,  249 

Publicity  for  League  Work. . .   328 


Quarterly  Conference  Recog- 
nition        41 

Question  Box,  The  Conven- 
tion    400 

Questions  for  Convention  Dis- 
cussion    401 

Questions  for  First  Depart- 
ment    403 

Questions  for  Fourth  Depart- 
ment    407 

Questions  for  Second  Depart- 
ment     405 

Questions,  Secretarial 409 

Questions  for  Third  Depart- 
ment      406 


R  PAGE 

Rally  Day,  The  Annual 

League 355 

Rally  Day,  A  Suggested . 358,  359 
Rally     Day,     A    Talk    with 

League  Leaders 362 

Rally  Day  Spirit 360 

Rally  to  Your  Task 361 

Rambles 306 

Reading  Circles,  The 266,  275 

Reading  College,  A 265,  358 

Reading  Rooms 267 

Reception  of  Members 316 

Recording  Business 323 

Recreation  for  All 219 

Recreation,  Culture  and 262 

Recreation,  Community 320 

Recreation,  Literature  on. . .  .  221 
Recreation  and   Culture  De- 
partment, Duties  of  the. . .  30 
Recreation  and  Culture  Ques- 
tions   407 

Recreation  Program,  A  Sim- 
ple   282 

Recreation  and  Social  Purity.  221 

Recreational  Work,  The 278 

Reorganizing  Dead  Chapters .  394 
Reports  to  the  Business  Meet- 
ing    59 

Rural  Chapter,  The 219 

Rural  Chapter,  Members 

Leaving  the 330 


School  Folk,  Winning  the. ...   316 
Scientific      Management      in 

League  Work 64 

Scrap  Book,  The  Secretary's .   326 
Scrappiness     in     Devotional 

Meetings 99 

Screens,  A  Game  with 309 

Scribe,  The  Epworthian 320 

Scribe,  Sidelights  for  the 332 

Second      Department,      Free 

Helps  for  the 190 

Second     Department     Ques- 
tions     405 

Second  Vice-President,  Quali- 
fications of  the 50 


431 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Secretarial  Questions 409 

Secretary,  The 327 

Secretary,  Duties  of  the 31 

Secretary,  The  League 320 

Secretary,  Rules  for  the 328 

Secretary     and     His     Corre- 
spondence    325 

Secretary  and  Members  Re- 
moving, The 322,  326 

Secretary  and  Statistics,  The .  326 

Secretary's  Supplies,  The ....  320 

Secretary's  Committee 321 

Secretary's  Co-operation  with 

the  Treasurer,  The. ......  325 

Secretary's  Membership  Rec- 
ord, The 321 

Secretary's  Record,  The 323 

Secretary's  Scrap  Book,  The .  326 

Secretary's  Special  Records.  .  324 

Shakespeare,  The  Women  of. .  272 

Shakespearean  Romance,  A.  .  296 

Sheep,  Game  of  the  Stray. ...  309 

Sick,  Visiting  the 231 

Social   Department,   Socializ- 
ing the  218 

Socials    in    the    League,    The 

Test  of. ...  . 279 

Socials,  Missionary 183 

Socials  Without  Money 278 

Social  Purity  and  Recreation.  221 

Socials  of  the  Senses,  The . .  .  289 

Social  Service 14,  208 

Social    Service,    Historical 

Sketch  of 211 

Social  Service,  What  Is? 210 

Social  Service  in  the  Church, 

Why?... 208 

Social     Service     Department 

Money 230 

Social    Service    Department, 

Duties  of  the 29 

Social  Service  Long  Distance 

Work ...  235 

Social  Service  in  Necessitous 

Cases 233 

Social  Sendee  Publicity 230 

Social  Service  Questions 406 

Social  Service  Study 212 

Social    Service    Study    Class 

Leaders 224 


PAGE 

Social  Service  Suggestions.. .  .   238 
Social  Service  Work,  Local . . .   229 

Socials  and  Sociability, 279 

Social  Stunts,  Successful 284 

Some  Prayer-meetings 123 

Songs  Without  Words 286 

Soul  Winning  a  Glorious  Serv- 
ice      147 

Speakers,  Convention 399 

Special  Days 341 

Special  Records 324 

Spiritual  Department,  Duties 

of  the 28 

Spiritual  Work  Questions.  .  .  .   403 
St.  Patrick's  Day  Dinner ....   299 

St.  Patrick's  Day  Social 297 

Statistics,  The  Secretary  and.  326 
Stewardship,  The  Laws  of .  .  .   199 

Stewardship  Statistics 202 

Stranger,  Visiting  the 232 

Stray  Sheep,  The  Game  of  the.  309 

Students'  Receptions 286 

Study  Class,  The  Advantage 

of  the 170 

Study  Class  Day 341 

Study  Class  Meetings 46 

Stunts,  Successful  Social 284 

Subjects  for  Convention  Dis- 
cussion     398 

Summer  Institutes 415 

Sunday  Night  Service  and  the 

League,  The 128 

Supplies,  Chapter 335 

Supplies  for  the  Secretary. . .  .   320 

Survey,  A  Chapter 67 

Survey,  A  Community 70 

Surveys,  Making  Use  of 74 

Systematic  Visitation.  . .  .230,  358 
Systematic  Visitation,  Books 
on 216 


Telegram  Social,  The 293 

Temperance  Crusade,  The .  .  .  250 
Temperance,    Education   and 

Agitation  of 251 

Temperance  Meetings, 

Themes  for 255 

Temperance  Pledge,  The ....  250 
Temperance  Programs 254 


432 


INDEX. 


PAGE 

Temperance    Society,    The 

Methodist 251 

Tennis  Courts?  Why  Not  Two  283 

Tennis  Tournament,  A 307 

Tennis  Tournament  Party,  A.  311 
Tennyson's  Religious  Poems.    272 

Tenth,  Finding  the 203 

Testimony  in  the  Devotional 

Meeting 103 

Thanksgiving  Day 248,  372 

Third    Department    and    Its 

Meaning,  The 209 

Third  Department  Questions .   406 
Third  Vice-President,  Qualifi- 
cations of  the 50 

Three  Deep 310 

Tongue  Twisters 288 

Topics,  The  Devotional  Meet- 
ing       89 

Tower  of  Babel  Social,  The.  .   287 
Transfer  of  Rural  Members, 

The 330 

Traveling  Social,  A 290 

Treasurer,  Duties  of  the 31 

Treasurer,  The  Secretary's  Co- 
operation with  the 325 

Treasurer,  Work  of  the 335 

Trees,  Twisted 294 

U 

Ushers    and    the    Devotional 
Meetings 121 

V 

"Vices,"  The  Four 82 

"Vision  Meeting,"  A 113 

Visiting  the  Sick 217,  358 

Visiting  Between  Chapters. .  .   234 
Volley  Ball,  Feather 311 


W  PAGE 

Walking  Tours 304 

Washington's  Birthday 342 

Washington's  Birthday  Party.  299 
Washington's   Birthday,   The 

Sunday  Nearest 343 

Watch  Night  Service,  The . .  .  373 
Watchword,     The     Epworth 

League 3(5 

Wheel,  The  Epworth 15 

Win    My    Chum    Movement, 

The 150 

Win  My  Chum  Reflections.  .    151 
Winning  My  Chum,  Difficul- 
ties of 154 

Women  and  Citizenship 258 

Word  Building 290 

World    Evangelism,    Depart- 
ment of 165 

World    Evangelism    Depart- 
mental Committee 165 

World     Evangelism     Depart- 
ment, Duties  of  the 29 

World  Evangelism  Questions .   405 

Y 

Young  Man,  The  Chapter  and 

the  Elusive 317 

Young  People  from  Abroad .  .  218 
Young    People's    Christian 

League,  The 9 

Young     People's     Methodist 

Alliance,  The 8 

Young  People,  Homeless.  ...    218 

Y-O-I 294 

Your  Own  Initials 294 

Younger,    Making    Way    for 

the 75 

Youth  and  the  Church 7 


28 


433 


i'"ji    n  Seminary-Spen 


1    1012  01058  0951 


DATE  DUE 

•SSP^* 

DEMCO  38-297 

